Methods for enantioselective allylic alkylation of esters, lactones, and lactams with unactivated allylic alcohols

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure provides methods for enantioselective synthesis of cyclic and acyclic α-quaternary carboxylic acid derivatives via nickel-catalyzed allylic alkylation.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application 62/580,091, filed Nov. 1, 2017, the contents of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.

GOVERNMENT SUPPORT

This invention was made with government support under Grant Nos. GM080269 awarded by the National Institutes of Health. The Government has certain rights in the invention.

BACKGROUND

Synthetic methods for the generation of enantioenriched quaternary stereocenters are highly desirable given their prevalence as motifs in a wide variety of biologically active molecules of both natural and unnatural origin, and the pharmaceutical industries increasing recognition for the motif's applicability in drug design. Despite their importance, the number of highly enantioselective transformations that construct quaternary stereocenters under mild reaction conditions is limited, with respect to both cyclic and acyclic systems.

Since 1965, transition metal-catalyzed allylic alkylation has emerged as one of the most powerful methods for the construction of stereocenters. In particular, with the use of prochiral nucleophiles that proceed through tetrasubstituted enolates, the transition metal-catalyzed enantioselective allylic alkylation has proven to be a formidable strategy for accessing chiral quaternary stereocenters in catalytic enantioselective fashion. Although this transformation has been studied for more than 50 years, the use of α-substituted lactones or lactams as prochiral nucleophiles remains significantly under-developed.

It is particularly difficult to construct quaternary stereocenters in scaffolds containing an additional functional handle for further synthetic manipulation, such as α-acyl lactones and lactams. Lactone products could also provide access to acyclic quaternary stereocenters via ring-opening reactions and reduction of the lactam products would enable direct access to functionalized piperidine rings, the most prevalent nitrogenous heterocycle in drug molecules.

Recently, a palladium-catalyzed decarboxylative enantioselective allylic alkylation of enol carbonates derived from γ-butyrolactones was disclosed. Various enol carbonates were used to obtain diverse α-acyl quaternary butyrolactones in moderate to high levels of enantioselectivity. Nonetheless, the limited electrophile scope and challenging nucleophile synthesis limits the practicality of this transformation. In particular, the alkylation appears limited to γ-butyrolactone substrates and an allyl group, and the substrates require low-yielding, multi-step synthesis.

Therefore, the catalytic enantioselective construction of all-carbon quaternary centers represents a considerable challenge in synthetic organic chemistry due to the difficulties associated with effecting an enantioselective C—C bond formation in a sterically hindered environment.

Accordingly, there is a need to develop new reaction protocols that provide access to cyclic and acyclic α-quaternary carboxylic acid derivatives (i.e., acids, esters, amides).

SUMMARY

Provided herein are methods for the enantioselective synthesis of cyclic and acyclic α-quaternary carboxylic acid derivatives via nickel-catalyzed allylic alkylation. Accordingly, in one aspect provided herein are methods for preparing a compound of Formula (IX):

-   comprising: -   treating a compound of Formula (I)

-   with a compound of Formula (IIa) or (IIb)

-   in an organic solvent -   in the presence of a nickel catalyst;     wherein: -   X is O or N-PG; -   PG is a protecting group; -   R₁ is C₁₋₅ alkyl; -   R₂ is H, C₁₋₅ alkyl, C₁₋₅ alkenyl, aralkyl, aralkenyl, aryl, or     hetaryl; -   is a single bond or a double bond, as valence permits; and     one of the following: -   (i) R₈ and R₉ are each H; -   (ii) R₈ is H, and R₉ and R₁₁, taken together with the carbon atoms     to which they are attached, form a heterocyclic, carbocyclic, aryl,     or hetaryl ring; or -   (iii) R₁₁ is H, R₈ and R₉, taken together with the carbon atoms to     which they are attached, form a heterocyclic, carbocyclic, aryl, or     hetaryl ring.

In certain embodiments, the nickel catalyst is a Ni(0) catalyst, for example, a complex formed by contacting a Ni(0) source with a ligand L.

In certain embodiments, L is selected from L1, L2, L3, L4, L5, L6, L7, L8, L9, L10, L11, L12, L13, L14, L15, L16, L17, L18, L19, L20, L21, L22, L23, L24, L25, L26, L27, L28, L29, L30, L31, L32, L33, L34, L35, L36, L37, L38, L39, and L40. In preferred embodiments, L is selected from (R)-BINAP, (R)-H₈-BINAP, (R)-Segphos, and (R)-P-phos. Even more preferably, L is (R)-P-phos.

In some embodiments, X is O and the solvent is diethyl ether. In preferred embodiments, L is (R)-P-phos.

In other embodiments, X is N-PG.

In certain embodiments, X is N-PG and PG is selected from benzoyl, Boc, methyl, and phenyl, preferably, PG is benzoyl.

In some embodiments, the Ni(0) source is Ni(COD)₂.

In certain other embodiments, the organic solvent is toluene, diethyl ether, methyl t-butyl ether, tetrahydrofuran, or dioxane, or a mixture thereof.

In some embodiments, R₈ and R₉, taken together with the carbon atoms to which they are attached, form a 5- or 6-membered heterocyclic, carbocyclic, aryl, or hetaryl ring.

In some embodiments, R₈ and R₉, taken together with the carbon atoms to which they are attached, form a 5- or 6-membered heterocyclic or carbocyclic ring; and

is a single bond.

In some embodiments, R₈ and R₉, taken together with the carbon atoms to which they are attached, form a 5- or 6-membered aryl or hetaryl ring; and

is a double bond.

Also provided herein are methods of preparing a compound of Formula (XI):

-   comprising treating a compound of Formula (XII)

-   in an organic solvent -   in the presence of a nickel catalyst,     wherein -   PG′ is an oxygen protecting group; -   R₆ is C₁₋₅ alkyl; -   R₇ is C₁₋₅ alkyl.

In certain embodiments, the nickel catalyst is a Ni(0) catalyst, for example, a complex formed by contacting a Ni(0) source with a ligand L.

In some embodiments, the Ni(0) source is Ni(COD)₂.

In certain other embodiments, the organic solvent is toluene, diethyl ether, methyl t-butyl ether, tetrahydrofuran, or dioxane, or a mixture thereof.

In some embodiments, the oxygen protecting group is PMB.

In some embodiments, the Ni(0) source is Ni(COD)₂; L is (S)-C3-TunePhos; and the organic solvent is diethyl ether. In certain preferred embodiments, R₆ is methyl; R₇ is methyl; and PG′ is PMB.

Also provided herein are methods comprising:

-   preparing a compound of Formula (IX) as described herein, or     preparing a compound of Formula (XI) as described herein; and -   synthesizing a pharmaceutical agent from the compound of Formula     (IX), or synthesizing a pharmaceutical agent from the compound of     Formula (XI).

For example, also provided herein are methods of preparing a compound of Formula (VI):

-   comprising treating a compound of Formula (III)

-   with a reducing agent; -   wherein -   R₁ is C₁₋₅ alkyl; -   R₂ is H, C₁₋₅ alkyl, C₁₋₅ alkenyl, aralkyl, aralkenyl, aryl, or     hetaryl; -   is a single bond or a double bond, as valence permits; and     one of the following: -   (i) R₈, R₉, and R₁₁ are each H; -   (ii) R₈ is H, and R₉ and R₁₁, taken together with the carbon atoms     to which they are attached, form a heterocyclic, carbocyclic, aryl,     or hetaryl ring; or -   (iii) R₁₁ is H, and R₈ and R₉, taken together with the carbon atoms     to which they are attached, form a heterocyclic, carbocyclic, aryl,     or hetaryl ring.

In some embodiments, R₁ is ethyl and R₂ is H. In some embodiments, R₈, R₉, and R₁₁ are each H.

As another example, also provided herein are methods of preparing a compound of Formula (VII):

-   comprising treating a compound of Formula (III)

-   with a compound of Formula (X)

-   wherein -   R₁ is C₁₋₅ alkyl; -   R₂ is H, C₁₋₅ alkyl, C₁₋₅ alkenyl, aralkyl, aralkenyl, aryl, or     hetaryl; -   R₅ is H, C₁₋₅ alkyl, or C₁₋₅ alkenyl; -   is a single bond or a double bond, as valence permits; and     one of the following: -   (i) R₈, R₉, and R₁₁ are each H; -   (ii) R₈ is H, and R₉ and R₁₁, taken together with the carbon atoms     to which they are attached, form a heterocyclic, carbocyclic, aryl,     or hetaryl ring; or -   (iii) R₁₁ is H, and R₈ and R₉, taken together with the carbon atoms     to which they are attached, heterocyclic, carbocyclic, aryl, or     hetaryl ring.

In some embodiments, R₁ is ethyl and R₂ is H. In some embodiments, R₈, R₉, and R₁₁ are each H.

As yet another example, also provided herein are methods of preparing a compound of Formula (VIII):

comprising:

-   synthesizing the compound of Formula (VII) as described herein, and -   treating the compound of Formula (VII) with a ring-closing     metathesis catalyst.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Overview

Described herein are the enantioselective allylic alkylation of α-acyl lactones and lactams by using an inexpensive nickel catalyst and easily accessible prochiral nucleophiles. The use of an intermolecular allylic alkylation simplifies the substrate synthesis and provides a more convergent approach to these α-quaternary products. Utilizing a commercially available chiral bisphosphine ligand, α-quaternary lactones and lactams can be constructed in good yield (up to 91% yield) and with high enantiomeric excess (up to 90% ee). A broad range of functional groups are compatible with the reaction conditions. A number of product derivatizations showed the synthetic utility of this methodology for constructing small chiral building blocks with multiple functional handles.

Definitions

The definitions for the terms described below are applicable to the use of the term by itself or in combination with another term.

The term “about,” as used herein, is defined as being close to as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. In one non-limiting embodiment, the term “about” is defined to be within 10%, preferably within 5%, more preferably within 1%, and most preferably within 0.5%.

The term “acyl” is art-recognized and refers to a group represented by the general formula hydrocarbyl-C(O)—, preferably alkyl-C(O)—.

The term “acyloxy” is art-recognized and refers to a group represented by the general formula hydrocarbylC(O)O—, preferably alkylC(O)O—.

The term “alkoxy” refers to an alkyl group, preferably a lower alkyl group, having an oxygen attached thereto. Representative alkoxy groups include methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, tert-butoxy, and the like.

The term “alkoxyalkyl” refers to an alkyl group substituted with an alkoxy group, and may be represented by the general formula alkyl-O-alkyl.

The term “alkenyl”, as used herein, refers to an aliphatic group containing at least one double bond that is straight chained or branched and has from 1 to about 20 carbon atoms, preferably from 1 to about 10 unless otherwise defined. The term “alkenyl” is intended to include both “unsubstituted alkenyls” and “substituted alkenyls”, the latter of which refers to alkenyl moieties having substituents replacing a hydrogen on one or more carbons of the alkenyl group. Such substituents may occur on one or more carbons that are included or not included in one or more double bonds. Moreover, such substituents include all those contemplated for alkyl groups, as discussed below, except where stability is prohibitive. For example, substitution of alkenyl groups by one or more alkyl, carbocyclyl, aryl, heterocyclyl, or heteroaryl groups is contemplated.

An “alkyl” group or “alkane” is a straight chained or branched non-aromatic hydrocarbon which is completely saturated. Typically, a straight chained or branched alkyl group has from 1 to about 20 carbon atoms, preferably from 1 to about 10 unless otherwise defined. Examples of straight chained and branched alkyl groups include methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, iso-propyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, pentyl, hexyl, pentyl and octyl. A C₁-C₆ straight chained or branched alkyl group is also referred to as a “lower alkyl” group.

Moreover, the term “alkyl” (or “lower alkyl”) as used throughout the specification, examples, and claims is intended to include both “unsubstituted alkyls” and “substituted alkyls,” the latter of which refers to alkyl moieties having substituents replacing a hydrogen on one or more carbons of the hydrocarbon backbone. Such substituents, if not otherwise specified, can include, for example, a halogen, a hydroxyl, a carbonyl (such as a carboxyl, an alkoxycarbonyl, a formyl, or an acyl such as an alkylC(O)), a thiocarbonyl (such as a thioester, a thioacetate, or a thioformate), an alkoxyl, a phosphoryl, a phosphate, a phosphonate, a phosphinate, an amino, an amido, an amidine, an imine, a cyano, a nitro, an azido, a silyl ether, a sulfhydryl, an alkylthio, a sulfate, a sulfonate, a sulfamoyl, a sulfonamido, a sulfonyl, a heterocyclyl, an aralkyl, a heteroaralkyl, or an aromatic or heteroaromatic moiety. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the moieties substituted on the hydrocarbon chain can themselves be substituted, if appropriate. For instance, the substituents of a substituted alkyl may include substituted and unsubstituted forms of amino, azido, imino, amido, phosphoryl (including phosphonate and phosphinate), sulfonyl (including sulfate, sulfonamido, sulfamoyl and sulfonate), and silyl groups, as well as ethers, alkylthiols, carbonyls (including ketones, aldehydes, carboxylates, and esters), —CF₃, —CN, and the like. Exemplary substituted alkyls are described below. Cycloalkyls can be further substituted with alkyls, alkenyls, alkoxys, alkylthios, aminoalkyls, carbonyl-substituted alkyls, —CF₃, —CN, and the like.

The term “C_(x)-C_(y)” when used in conjunction with a chemical moiety, such as, acyl, acyloxy, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, or alkoxy is meant to include groups that contain from x to y carbons in the chain. For example, the term “C_(x)-C_(y)-alkyl” refers to substituted or unsubstituted saturated hydrocarbon groups, including straight-chain alkyl and branched-chain alkyl groups that contain from x to y carbons in the chain, including haloalkyl groups such as trifluoromethyl and 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl, etc. C₀ alkyl indicates a hydrogen where the group is in a terminal position, a bond if internal. The terms “C₂-C_(y)-alkenyl” and “C₂-C_(y)-alkynyl” refer to substituted or unsubstituted unsaturated aliphatic groups analogous in length and possible substitution to the alkyls described above, but that contain at least one double or triple bond respectively.

The term “alkylthio,” as used herein, refers to a thiol group substituted with an alkyl group and may be represented by the general formula alkyl-S—.

The term “alkynyl”, as used herein, refers to an aliphatic group containing at least one triple bond and is intended to include both “unsubstituted alkynyls” and “substituted alkynyls,” the latter of which refers to alkynyl moieties having substituents replacing a hydrogen on one or more carbons of the alkynyl group. Such substituents may occur on one or more carbons that are included or not included in one or more triple bonds. Moreover, such substituents include all those contemplated for alkyl groups, as discussed above, except where stability is prohibitive. For example, substitution of alkynyl groups by one or more alkyl, carbocyclyl, aryl, heterocyclyl, or heteroaryl groups is contemplated.

The term “amide,” as used herein, refers to a group

wherein each R¹⁰ independently represent a hydrogen or hydrocarbyl group, or two R¹⁰ are taken together with the N atom to which they are attached complete a heterocycle having from 4 to 8 atoms in the ring structure.

The terms “amine” and “amino” are art-recognized and refer to both unsubstituted and substituted amines and salts thereof, e.g., a moiety that can be represented by

wherein each R¹⁰ independently represents a hydrogen or a hydrocarbyl group, or two R¹⁰ are taken together with the N atom to which they are attached complete a heterocycle having from 4 to 8 atoms in the ring structure.

The term “aminoalkyl,” as used herein, refers to an alkyl group substituted with an amino group.

The term “aralkyl,” as used herein, refers to an alkyl group substituted with an aryl group. An aralkyl group is connected to the rest of the molecule through the alkyl component of the aralkyl group.

The term “aryl” as used herein include substituted or unsubstituted single-ring aromatic groups in which each atom of the ring is carbon. Preferably, the ring is a 5- to 10-membered ring, more preferably a 6- to 10-membered ring or a 6-membered ring. The term “aryl” also includes polycyclic ring systems having two or more cyclic rings in which two or more carbons are common to two adjoining rings wherein at least one of the rings is aromatic, e.g., the other cyclic rings can be cycloalkyls, cycloalkenyls, cycloalkynyls, aryls, heteroaryls, and/or heterocyclyls. Aryl groups include benzene, naphthalene, phenanthrene, phenol, aniline, and the like. Exemplary substitution on an aryl group can include, for example, a halogen, a haloalkyl such as trifluoromethyl, a hydroxyl, a carbonyl (such as a carboxyl, an alkoxycarbonyl, a formyl, or an acyl such as an alkylC(O)), a thiocarbonyl (such as a thioester, a thioacetate, or a thioformate), an alkoxyl, a phosphoryl, a phosphate, a phosphonate, a phosphinate, an amino, an amido, an amidine, an imine, a cyano, a nitro, an azido, a silyl ether, a sulfhydryl, an alkylthio, a sulfate, a sulfonate, a sulfamoyl, a sulfonamido, a sulfonyl, a heterocyclyl, an aralkyl, or an aromatic or heteroaromatic moiety

The terms “carbocycle” and “carbocyclic,” as used herein, refers to a saturated or unsaturated ring in which each atom of the ring is carbon. The term carbocycle includes both aromatic carbocycles and non-aromatic carbocycles. Non-aromatic carbocycles include both cycloalkane rings, in which all carbon atoms are saturated, and cycloalkene rings, which contain at least one double bond. “Carbocycle” includes 5-7 membered monocyclic and 8-12 membered bicyclic rings. Each ring of a bicyclic carbocycle may be selected from saturated, unsaturated and aromatic rings. Carbocycle includes bicyclic molecules in which one, two or three or more atoms are shared between the two rings. The term “fused carbocycle” refers to a bicyclic carbocycle in which each of the rings shares two adjacent atoms with the other ring. Each ring of a fused carbocycle may be selected from saturated, unsaturated and aromatic rings. In an exemplary embodiment, an aromatic ring, e.g., phenyl, may be fused to a saturated or unsaturated ring, e.g., cyclohexane, cyclopentane, or cyclohexene. Any combination of saturated, unsaturated and aromatic bicyclic rings, as valence permits, is included in the definition of carbocyclic. Exemplary “carbocycles” include cyclopentane, cyclohexane, bicyclo[2.2.1]heptane, 1,5-cyclooctadiene, 1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene, bicyclo[4.2.0]oct-3-ene, naphthalene, and adamantane. Exemplary fused carbocycles include decalin, naphthalene, 1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene, bicyclo[4.2.0]octane, 4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-indene and bicyclo[4.1.0]hept-3-ene. “Carbocycles” may be substituted at any one or more positions capable of bearing a hydrogen atom.

A “cycloalkyl” group is a cyclic hydrocarbon which is completely saturated. “Cycloalkyl” includes monocyclic and bicyclic rings. Typically, a monocyclic cycloalkyl group has from 3 to about 10 carbon atoms, more typically 3 to 8 carbon atoms unless otherwise defined. The second ring of a bicyclic cycloalkyl may be selected from saturated, unsaturated and aromatic rings. Cycloalkyl includes bicyclic molecules in which one, two, three, or more atoms are shared between the two rings. The term “fused cycloalkyl” refers to a bicyclic cycloalkyl in which each of the rings shares two adjacent atoms with the other ring. The second ring of a fused bicyclic cycloalkyl may be selected from saturated, unsaturated and aromatic rings. A “cycloalkenyl” group is a cyclic hydrocarbon containing one or more double bonds.

The term “carbonate” is art-recognized and refers to a group —OCO₂—R¹⁰, wherein R¹⁰ represents a hydrocarbyl group.

The term “carboxyl”, as used herein, refers to a group represented by the formula —CO₂H. The term “ester,” as used herein, refers to a group —C(O)OR¹⁰ wherein R¹⁰ represents a hydrocarbyl group.

The term “ether”, as used herein, refers to a hydrocarbyl group linked through an oxygen to another hydrocarbyl group. Accordingly, an ether substituent of a hydrocarbyl group may be hydrocarbyl-O—. Ethers may be either symmetrical or unsymmetrical. Examples of ethers include, but are not limited to, heterocycle-O-heterocycle and aryl-O-heterocycle. Ethers include “alkoxyalkyl” groups, which may be represented by the general formula alkyl-O-alkyl.

The terms “halo” and “halogen” as used herein means halogen and includes chloro, fluoro, bromo, and iodo.

The terms “hetaralkyl” and “heteroaralkyl,” as used herein, refers to an alkyl group substituted with a heteroaryl group.

The term “heteroalkyl,” as used herein, refers to a saturated or unsaturated chain of carbon atoms and at least one heteroatom, wherein no two heteroatoms are adjacent.

The terms “heteroaryl” and “hetaryl” include substituted or unsubstituted aromatic single ring structures, preferably 5- to 7-membered rings, more preferably 5- to 6-membered rings, whose ring structures include at least one heteroatom, preferably one to four heteroatoms, more preferably one or two heteroatoms. The terms “heteroaryl” and “hetaryl” also include polycyclic ring systems having two or more cyclic rings in which two or more carbons are common to two adjoining rings wherein at least one of the rings is heteroaromatic, e.g., the other cyclic rings can be cycloalkyls, cycloalkenyls, cycloalkynyls, aryls, heteroaryls, and/or heterocyclyls. Heteroaryl groups include 5- to 10-membered cyclic or polycyclic ring systems, including, for example, pyrrole, furan, thiophene, imidazole, oxazole, thiazole, pyrazole, pyridine, pyrazine, pyridazine, and pyrimidine, and the like. Exemplary optional substituents on heteroaryl groups include those substituents put forth as exemplary substituents on aryl groups, above.

The term “heteroatom” as used herein means an atom of any element other than carbon or hydrogen. Preferred heteroatoms are nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur.

The terms “heterocycloalkyl,” “heterocycle,” and “heterocyclic” refer to substituted or unsubstituted non-aromatic ring structures, preferably 3- to 10-membered rings, more preferably 3- to 7-membered rings, whose ring structures include at least one heteroatom, preferably one to four heteroatoms, more preferably one or two heteroatoms. The terms “heterocycloalkyl” and “heterocyclic” also include polycyclic ring systems having two or more cyclic rings in which two or more carbons are common to two adjoining rings wherein at least one of the rings is heterocyclic, e.g., the other cyclic rings can be cycloalkyls, cycloalkenyls, cycloalkynyls, aryls, heteroaryls, and/or heterocycloalkyls. Heterocycloalkyl groups include, for example, piperidine, piperazine, pyrrolidine, morpholine, lactones, lactams, and the like.

The term “hydrocarbyl,” as used herein, refers to a group that is bonded through a carbon atom that does not have a ═O or ═S substituent, and typically has at least one carbon-hydrogen bond and a primarily carbon backbone, but may optionally include heteroatoms. Thus, groups like methyl, ethoxyethyl, 2-pyridyl, and trifluoromethyl are considered to be hydrocarbyl for the purposes of this application, but substituents such as acetyl (which has a ═O substituent on the linking carbon) and ethoxy (which is linked through oxygen, not carbon) are not. Hydrocarbyl groups include, but are not limited to aryl, heteroaryl, carbocycle, heterocyclyl, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, and combinations thereof.

The term “hydroxyalkyl,” as used herein, refers to an alkyl group substituted with a hydroxy group.

The term “lower” when used in conjunction with a chemical moiety, such as, acyl, acyloxy, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, or alkoxy is meant to include groups where there are ten or fewer non-hydrogen atoms in the substituent, preferably six or fewer. A “lower alkyl,” for example, refers to an alkyl group that contains ten or fewer carbon atoms, preferably six or fewer. In certain embodiments, acyl, acyloxy, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, or alkoxy substituents defined herein are respectively lower acyl, lower acyloxy, lower alkyl, lower alkenyl, lower alkynyl, or lower alkoxy, whether they appear alone or in combination with other substituents, such as in the recitations hydroxyalkyl and aralkyl (in which case, for example, the atoms within the aryl group are not counted when counting the carbon atoms in the alkyl substituent).

The term “substituted” refers to moieties having substituents replacing a hydrogen on one or more carbons of the backbone. It will be understood that “substitution” or “substituted with” includes the implicit proviso that such substitution is in accordance with permitted valence of the substituted atom and the substituent, and that the substitution results in a stable compound, e.g., which does not spontaneously undergo transformation such as by rearrangement, cyclization, elimination, etc. As used herein, the term “substituted” is contemplated to include all permissible substituents of organic compounds. In a broad aspect, the permissible substituents include acyclic and cyclic, branched and unbranched, carbocyclic and heterocyclic, aromatic and non-aromatic substituents of organic compounds. The permissible substituents can be one or more and the same or different for appropriate organic compounds. For purposes of this invention, the heteroatoms such as nitrogen may have hydrogen substituents and/or any permissible substituents of organic compounds described herein which satisfy the valences of the heteroatoms. Substituents can include any substituents described herein, for example, a halogen, a haloalkyl, a hydroxyl, a carbonyl (such as a carboxyl, an alkoxycarbonyl, a formyl, or an acyl), a thiocarbonyl (such as a thioester, a thioacetate, or a thioformate), an alkoxyl, a phosphoryl, a phosphate, a phosphonate, a phosphinate, an amino, an amido, an amidine, an imine, a cyano, a nitro, an azido, a sulfhydryl, an alkylthio, a sulfate, a sulfonate, a sulfamoyl, a sulfonamido, a sulfonyl, a heterocyclyl, an aralkyl, or an aromatic or heteroaromatic moiety. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that substituents can themselves be substituted, if appropriate. Unless specifically stated as “unsubstituted,” references to chemical moieties herein are understood to include substituted variants. For example, reference to an “aryl” group or moiety implicitly includes both substituted and unsubstituted variants.

The term “sulfate” is art-recognized and refers to the group —OSO₃H, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

The term “sulfonate” is art-recognized and refers to the group SO₃H, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. In some embodiments, a sulfonate can mean an alkylated sulfonate of the formula SO₃(alkyl).

The term “thioester”, as used herein, refers to a group —C(O)SR¹⁰ or —SC(O)R¹⁰ wherein R¹⁰ represents a hydrocarbyl.

“Protecting group” refers to a group of atoms that, when attached to a reactive functional group in a molecule, mask, reduce or prevent the reactivity of the functional group. Typically, a protecting group may be selectively removed as desired during the course of a synthesis. Examples of protecting groups can be found in Greene and Wuts, Protective Groups in Organic Chemistry, 3^(rd) Ed., 1999, John Wiley & Sons, NY and Harrison et al., Compendium of Synthetic Organic Methods, Vols. 1-8, 1971-1996, John Wiley & Sons, NY. Representative nitrogen protecting groups include, but are not limited to, formyl, acetyl, trifluoroacetyl, benzyl, benzoyl, benzyloxycarbonyl (“CBZ”), tert-butoxycarbonyl (“Boc”), trimethylsilyl (“TMS”), 2-trimethylsilyl-ethanesulfonyl (“TES”), trityl and substituted trityl groups, allyloxycarbonyl, 9-fluorenylmethyloxycarbonyl (“FMOC”), nitro-veratryloxycarbonyl (“NVOC”) and the like. Representative hydroxyl protecting groups include, but are not limited to, those where the hydroxyl group is either acylated (esterified) or alkylated such as benzyl and trityl ethers (e.g., PMB ethers), as well as alkyl ethers, tetrahydropyranyl ethers, trialkylsilyl ethers (e.g., TMS or TIPS groups), glycol ethers, such as ethylene glycol and propylene glycol derivatives and allyl ethers.

Exemplary Methods

Provided herein are methods for preparing a compound of Formula (IX):

comprising:

-   treating a compound of Formula (I)

with a compound of Formula (IIa) or (IIb)

-   in an organic solvent -   in the presence of a complex formed by contacting a Ni(0) source     with a ligand L;     wherein: -   X is O or N-PG; -   PG is a protecting group; -   R₁ is C₁₋₅ alkyl; -   R₂ is H, C₁₋₅ alkyl, C₁₋₅ alkenyl, aralkyl, aralkenyl, aryl, or     hetaryl; -   is a single bond or a double bond, as valence permits; and     one of the following: -   (i) R₈, R₉, and R₁₁ are each H; -   (ii) R₈ is H, and R₉ and R₁₁, taken together with the carbon atoms     to which they are attached, form a heterocyclic, carbocyclic, aryl,     or hetaryl ring; or -   (iii) R₁₁ is H, R₈ and R₉, taken together with the carbon atoms to     which they are attached, form a heterocyclic, carbocyclic, aryl, or     hetaryl ring.

In certain embodiments, L is selected from L1, L2, L3, L4, L5, L6, L7, L8, L9, L10, L11, L12, L13, L14, L15, L16, L17, L18, L19, L20, L21, L22, L23, L24, L25, L26, L27, L28, L29, L30, L31, L32, L33, L34, L35, L36, L37, L38, L39, and L40. In preferred embodiments, L is selected from (R)-BINAP, (R)-H₈-BINAP, (R)-Segphos, and (R)-P-phos. Even more preferably, L is (R)-P-phos.

In some embodiments, X is O and the solvent is diethyl ether. In preferred embodiments, L is (R)-P-phos.

In other embodiments, X is N-PG.

In certain embodiments, X is N-PG and PG is selected from benzoyl, Boc, methyl, and phenyl, preferably, PG is benzoyl.

In some embodiments, the Ni(0) source is Ni(COD)₂.

In certain other embodiments, the organic solvent is toluene, diethyl ether, methyl t-butyl ether, tetrahydrofuran, or dioxane, or a mixture thereof.

In some embodiments, R₈ and R₉, taken together with the carbon atoms to which they are attached, form a 5- or 6-membered heterocyclic, carbocyclic, aryl, or hetaryl ring.

In some embodiments, R₈ and R₉, taken together with the carbon atoms to which they are attached, form a 5- or 6-membered heterocyclic or carbocyclic ring; and

is a single bond.

In some embodiments, R₈ and R₉, taken together with the carbon atoms to which they are attached, form a 5- or 6-membered aryl or hetaryl ring; and

is a double bond.

In some embodiments, the compound of Formula (IX) is a compound of Formula (III):

In some embodiments, the compound of Formula (IX) is a compound of Formula (V):

In some embodiments, the compound of Formula (I) is a compound of Formula (Ia):

In some embodiments, the compound of Formula (I) is a compound of Formula (IV):

In some embodiments, X is O and the organic solvent is diethyl ether. In certain preferred embodiments, L is (R)-P-phos. In certain preferred embodiments, 10 mol % of the Ni(0) source and 12 mol % of (R)-P-phos are used. In some such embodiments, the reaction temperature is at or above 0° C. In other such embodiments, the reaction temperature is below 0° C. In some embodiments, R₁ is methyl or ethyl. In certain preferred embodiments, R₂ is hetaryl, aralkenyl,

wherein R₃ is C₁₋₅ alkyl or C₁₋₅ alkoxy, R₄ is C₁₋₅ alkyl or C₁₋₅ alkoxy, or R₃ and R₄, when ortho to each other, combine to form an aryl or hetaryl ring.

In other embodiments, X is N-PG and PG is benzoyl. In some such embodiments, R₁ is methyl or ethyl; R₂ is H or aryl; and L is (R)-P-phos. In some such embodiments, 10 mol % of the Ni(0) source and 12 mol % of (R)-P-phos are used. In some such embodiments, the reaction temperature is between about 10° C. and about 25° C.

Also provided herein are methods of preparing a compound of Formula (XI):

-   comprising treating a compound of Formula (XII)

-   in an organic solvent -   in the presence of a complex formed by contacting a Ni(0) source     with a ligand L, -   wherein -   PG′ is an oxygen protecting group; -   R₆ is C₁₋₅ alkyl; -   R₇ is C₁₋₅ alkyl.

In some embodiments, the Ni(0) source is Ni(COD)₂.

In certain other embodiments, the organic solvent is toluene, diethyl ether, methyl t-butyl ether, tetrahydrofuran, or dioxane, or a mixture thereof.

In some embodiments, the oxygen protecting group is PMB.

In some embodiments, the Ni(0) source is Ni(COD)₂; L is (S)-C3-TunePhos; and the organic solvent is diethyl ether. In certain preferred embodiments, R₆ is methyl; R₇ is methyl; and PG′ is PMB.

Also provided herein are methods comprising:

-   preparing a compound of Formula (IX) as described herein, or     preparing a compound of Formula (XI) as described herein; and

synthesizing a pharmaceutical agent from the compound of Formula (IX), or synthesizing a pharmaceutical agent from the compound of Formula (XI).

For example, also provided herein are methods of preparing a compound of Formula (VI):

comprising treating a compound of Formula (III)

-   with a reducing agent;     wherein -   R₁ is C₁₋₅ alkyl; -   R₂ is H, C₁₋₅ alkyl, C₁₋₅ alkenyl, aralkyl, aralkenyl, aryl, or     hetaryl; -   is a single bond or a double bond, as valence permits; and     one of the following: -   (i) R₈, R₉, and R₁₁ are each H; -   (ii) R₈ is H, and R₉ and R₁₁, taken together with the carbon atoms     to which they are attached, form a heterocyclic, carbocyclic, aryl,     or hetaryl ring; or -   (iii) R₁₁ is H, and R₈ and R₉, taken together with the carbon atoms     to which they are attached, form a heterocyclic, carbocyclic, aryl,     or hetaryl ring.

In some such embodiments, R₁ is ethyl and R₂ is H. In some embodiments, R₈, R₉, and R₁₁ are each H. Any reducing agent may be used. Examples of suitable reducing agents include, but are not limited to, sodium borohydride (NaBH₄), lithium tri-t-butoxy aluminum hydride, and sodium cyanoborohydride. In certain preferred embodiments, the reducing agent is NaBH₄. The reducing agent is suitably used in excess over the compound of Formula (III). For example, the reducing agent may be used in the range of about 1 to about 10 equivalents relative to the compound of Formula (III), such as about 2 equivalents, about 3 equivalents, about 4 equivalents, about 5 equivalents, about 6 equivalents, about 7 equivalents, about 8 equivalents, about 9 equivalents, or about 10 equivalents relative to the compound of Formula (III). In certain preferred embodiments, about 5 equivalents of the reducing are used relative to the compound of Formula (III).

As another example, also provided herein are methods of preparing a compound of Formula (VII):

-   comprising treating a compound of Formula (III)

-   with a compound of Formula (X)

wherein

-   R₁ is C₁₋₅ alkyl; -   R₂ is H, C₁₋₅ alkyl, C₁₋₅ alkenyl, aralkyl, aralkenyl, aryl, or     hetaryl; -   R₅ is H, C₁₋₅ alkyl, or C₁₋₅ alkenyl; -   is a single bond or a double bond, as valence permits; and     one of the following: -   (i) R₈, R₉, and R₁₁ are each H; -   (ii) R₈ is H, and R₉ and R₁₁, taken together with the carbon atoms     to which they are attached, form a heterocyclic, carbocyclic, aryl,     or hetaryl ring; or -   (iii) R₁₁ is H, and R₈ and R₉, taken together with the carbon atoms     to which they are attached, heterocyclic, carbocyclic, aryl, or     hetaryl ring.

In some embodiments, R₁ is ethyl and R₂ is H. In some embodiments, R₈, R₉, and R₁₁ are each H.

As yet another example, also provided herein are methods of preparing a compound of Formula (VIII):

comprising synthesizing the compound of Formula (VII) as described herein, and treating the compound of Formula (VII) with a ring-closing metathesis catalyst.

Transition Metal Catalysts

Preferred transition metal catalysts of the invention are complexes of nickel. In some embodiments, the transition metal catalyst is a nickel catalyst.

In some embodiments, the nickel catalyst is prepared by combining a nickel source, such as a Ni(0) source, and a chiral ligand. In preferred embodiments the nickel catalyst is prepared by combining a nickel source and a chiral ligand.

Exemplary nickel sources that may be used in the methods of the invention include, but are not limited to. In preferred embodiments, the nickel source is bis(1,5-cyclooctadiene)nickel(0) (Ni(COD)₂).

Accordingly, when describing the amount of transition metal catalyst used in the methods of the invention, the following terminology applies. The amount of transition metal catalyst present in a reaction is alternatively referred to herein as “catalyst loading”. Catalyst loading may be expressed as a percentage that is calculated by dividing the moles of catalyst complex by the moles of the substrate present in a given reaction. Catalyst loading is alternatively expressed as a percentage that is calculated by dividing the moles of total transition metal (for example, nickel) by the moles of the substrate present in a given reaction.

In certain embodiments, the transition metal catalyst is present under the conditions of the reaction from an amount of about 0.01 mol % to about 10 mol % total nickel relative to the substrate, which is the compound of Formula (I), (Ia), (IV), or (XII). In certain embodiments, the catalyst loading is from about 0.05 mol % to about 8 mol % total nickel relative to the substrate. In certain embodiments, the catalyst loading is from about 0.05 mol % to about 8 mol %, about 1 mol % to about 8 mol % about 1.5 mol % to about 8 mol % about 2 mol % to about 8 mol %, about 2.5 mol % to about 8 mol %, about 3 mol % to about 8 mol %, about 3.5 mol % to about 8 mol %, about 3.5 mol % to about 7.5 mol %, about 3.5 mol % to about 7 mol %, about 3.5 mol % to 6.5 mol %, about 3.5 mol % to about 6 mol %, about 3.5 mol % to about 5.5 mol %, about 3.5 mol % to about 5 mol %, about 3.5 mol % to about 4.5 mol % total nickel relative to the substrate. In some embodiments, the catalyst loading is from about 0.05 mol % to about 7.5 mol %, about 0.05 mol % to about 7 mol %, about 0.05 mol % to about 6.5 mol %, about 0.05 mol % to about 6 mol %, about 0.05 mol % to about 5.5 mol %, about 0.05 mol % to about 5 mol %, about 0.05 mol % to about 4.5 mol %, or about 0.05 mol % to about 4 mol % total nickel relative to the substrate. In some embodiments, the catalyst loading is from about 1 mol % to about 8 mol %, about 1 mol % to about 7.5 mol %, about 1 mol % to about 7 mol %, about 1 mol % to about 6.5 mol %, about 1 mol % to about 6 mol %, about 1 mol % to about 5.5 mol %, about 1 mol % to about 5 mol %, about 1 mol % to about 4.5 mol %, or about 1 mol % to about 4 mol % total nickel relative to the substrate. In some embodiments, the catalyst loading is from about 1.5 mol % to about 8 mol %, about 1.5 mol % to about 7.5 mol %, about 1.5 mol % to about 7 mol %, about 1.5 mol % to about 6.5 mol %, about 1.5 mol % to about 6 mol %, about 1.5 mol % to about 5.5 mol %, about 1.5 mol % to about 5 mol %, about 1.5 mol % to about 4.5 mol %, or about 1.5 mol % to about 4 mol % total nickel relative to the substrate. In some embodiments, the catalyst loading is from about 2 mol % to about 8 mol %, about 2 mol % to about 7.5 mol %, about 2 mol % to about 7 mol %, about 2 mol % to about 6.5 mol %, about 2 mol % to about 6 mol %, about 2 mol % to about 5.5 mol %, about 2 mol % to about 5 mol %, about 2 mol % to about 4.5 mol %, or about 2 mol % to about 4 mol % total nickel relative to the substrate. In some embodiments, the catalyst loading is from about 2.5 mol % to about 8 mol %, about 2.5 mol % to about 7.5 mol %, about 2.5 mol % to about 7 mol %, about 2.5 mol % to about 6.5 mol %, about 2.5 mol % to about 6 mol %, about 2.5 mol % to about 5.5 mol %, about 2.5 mol % to about 5 mol %, about 2.5 mol % to about 4.5 mol %, or about 2.5 mol % to about 4 mol % total nickel relative to the substrate. In some embodiments, the catalyst loading is from about 3 mol % to about 8 mol %, about 3 mol % to about 7.5 mol %, about 3 mol % to about 7 mol %, about 3 mol % to about 6.5 mol %, about 3 mol % to about 6 mol %, about 3 mol % to about 5.5 mol %, about 3 mol % to about 5 mol %, about 3 mol % to about 4.5 mol %, or about 3 mol % to about 4 mol % total nickel relative to the substrate. In some embodiments, the catalyst loading is from about 3.5 mol % to about 8 mol %, about 3.5 mol % to about 7.5 mol %, about 3.5 mol % to about 7 mol %, about 3.5 mol % to about 6.5 mol %, about 3.5 mol % to about 6 mol %, about 3.5 mol % to about 5.5 mol %, about 3.5 mol % to about 5 mol %, about 3.5 mol % to about 4.5 mol %, or about 3.5 mol % to about 4 mol % total nickel relative to the substrate. For example, in certain embodiments, the catalyst loading is about 0.01 mol %, about 0.05 mol %, about 0.1 mol %, about 0.15 mol %, about 0.2 mol %, about 0.25 mol %, about 0.3 mol %, about 0.4 mol %, about 0.5 mol %, about 0.6 mol %, about 0.7 mol %, about 0.8 mol %, about 0.9 mol %, about 1 mol %, about 1.5 mol %, about 2 mol %, about 3 mol %, or about 5 mol % total nickel. In certain other embodiments, the catalyst loading is about 0.5 mol %, about 0.75 mol %, about 1 mol %, about 1.25 mol %, about 1.5 mol %, about 1.75 mol %, about 2 mol %, about 2.25 mol %, about 2.5 mol %, about 2.75 mol %, about 3 mol %, about 3.25 mol %, about 3.5 mol %, about 3.75 mol %, about 4 mol %, about 4.25 mol %, about 4.5 mol %, about 4.75 mol %, about 5 mol %, about 5.25 mol %, about 5.5 mol %, about 5.75 mol %, about 6 mol %, about 6.25 mol %, about 6.5 mol %, about 6.75 mol %, about 7 mol %, about 7.25 mol %, about 7.5 mol %, about 7.75 mol %, about 8 mol %, about 8.25 mol %, about 8.5 mol %, about 8.75 mol %, about 9 mol %, about 9.25 mol %, about 9.5 mol %, about 9.75 mol %, about 10 mol %, about 10.25 mol %, about 10.5 mol %, about 10.75 mol %, about 11 mol %, about 11.25 mol %, about 11.5 mol %, about 11.75 mol %, or about 12 mol % total nickel. In preferred embodiments, the catalyst loading is about 10 mol % total nickel.

Chiral Ligands

One aspect of the invention relates to the enantioselectivity of the methods. Enantioselectivity results from the use of chiral ligands during the allylic alkylation reaction. Accordingly, the nickel catalyst comprises a chiral ligand. Without being bound by theory, the asymmetric environment that is created around the metal center by the presence of chiral ligands produces an enantioselective reaction. The chiral ligand forms a complex with the transition metal (i.e., nickel), thereby occupying one or more of the coordination sites on the metal and creating an asymmetric environment around the metal center. This complexation may or may not involve the displacement of achiral ligands already complexed to the metal. When displacement of one or more achiral ligands occurs, the displacement may proceed in a concerted fashion, i.e., with both the achiral ligand decomplexing from the metal and the chiral ligand complexing to the metal in a single step. Alternatively, the displacement may proceed in a stepwise fashion, i.e., with decomplexing of the achiral ligand and complexing of the chiral ligand occurring in distinct steps. Complexation of the chiral ligand to the transition metal may be allowed to occur in situ, i.e., by admixing the ligand and metal before adding the substrate. Alternatively, the ligand-metal complex can be formed separately, and the complex isolated before use in the alkylation reactions of the present invention.

Once coordinated to the transition metal center, the chiral ligand influences the orientation of other molecules as they interact with the transition metal catalyst. Coordination of the metal center with a π-allyl group and reaction of the substrate with the π-allyl-metal complex are dictated by the presence of the chiral ligand. The orientation of the reacting species determines the stereochemistry of the products.

Chiral ligands of the invention may be bidentate or monodentate or, alternatively, ligands with higher denticity (e.g., tridentate, tetradentate, etc.) can be used. In preferred embodiments, the ligand is a bidentate ligand. Additionally, it is preferred that the ligand be substantially enantiopure. By “enantiopure” is meant that only a single enantiomer is present. In many cases, substantially enantiopure ligands (e.g., ee>99%, preferably ee>99.5%, even more preferably ee>99.9%) can be purchased from commercial sources, obtained by successive recrystallizations of an enantioenriched substance, or by other suitable means for separating enantiomers.

In certain embodiments, the chiral ligand is an enantioenriched phosphorous-based ligand. In certain embodiments, the enantioenriched phosphorus-based ligand is a bisphosphine ligand. In certain embodiments, the chiral ligand is selected from:

Preferred bisphosphine ligands include:

Bisphosphine ligand L8 is also known as (S)-C3-TunePhos.

In certain preferred embodiments, the ligand is

In other preferred embodiments, the ligand is

Generally, the chiral ligand is present in an amount in the range of about 1 equivalent to about 20 equivalents relative to the amount of total metal from the catalyst, preferably in the range of about 1 to about 15 equivalents relative to the amount of total metal from the catalyst, and most preferably in the range of about 1 equivalent relative to the amount of total metal from the catalyst. Alternatively, the amount of the chiral ligand can be measured relative to the amount of the substrate.

In certain embodiments, the ligand is present under the conditions of the reaction from an amount of about 0.1 mol % to about 100 mol % relative to the substrate, which is the compound of Formula (I), (Ia), (IV), or (XII). The amount of the chiral ligand present in the reaction is alternatively referred to herein as “ligand loading” and is expressed as a percentage that is calculated by dividing the moles of ligand by the moles of the substrate present in a given reaction. In certain embodiments, the ligand loading is from about 1 mol %, about 1.1 mol %, about 1.2 mol %, about 1.3 mol %, about 1.4 mol %, about 1.5 mol %, about 1.6 mol %, about 1.7 mol %, about 1.8 mol %, about 1.9 mol %, about 2 mol %, about 2.1 mol %, about 2.2 mol %, about 2.3 mol %, about 2.4 mol %, about 2.5 mol %, about 2.6 mol %, about 2.7 mol %, about 2.8 mol %, about 2.9 mol %, about 3 mol %, about 3.1 mol %, about 3.2 mol %, about 3.3 mol %, about 3.4 mol %, about 3.5 mol %, about 3.6 mol %, about 3.7 mol %, about 3.8 mol %, about 3.9 mol %, about 4 mol %, about 4.1 mol %, about 4.2 mol %, about 4.3 mol %, about 4.4 mol %, about 4.5 mol %, about 4.6 mol %, about 4.7 mol %, about 4.8 mol %, about 4.9 mol %, about 5 mol %, about 5.1 mol %, about 5.2 mol %, about 5.3 mol %, about 5.4 mol %, about 5.5 mol %, about 5.6 mol %, about 5.7 mol %, about 5.8 mol %, about 5.9 mol %, about 6 mol %, about 6.1 mol %, about 6.2 mol %, about 6.3 mol %, about 6.4 mol %, about 6.5 mol %, about 6.6 mol %, about 6.7 mol %, about 6.8 mol %, about 6.9 mol %, about 7 mol %, about 7.1 mol %, about 7.2 mol %, about 7.3 mol %, about 7.4 mol %, about 7.5 mol %, about 7.6 mol %, about 7.7 mol %, about 7.8 mol %, about 7.9 mol %, about 8 mol %, about 8.1 mol %, about 8.2 mol %, about 8.3 mol %, about 8.4 mol %, about 8.5 mol %, about 8.6 mol %, about 8.7 mol %, about 8.8 mol %, about 8.9 mol %, about 9 mol %, about 9.1 mol %, about 9.2 mol %, about 9.3 mol %, about 9.4 mol %, about 9.5 mol %, about 9.6 mol %, about 9.7 mol %, about 9.8 mol %, about 9.9 mol %, about 10 mol %, about 10.1 mol %, about 10.2 mol %, about 10.3 mol %, about 10.4 mol %, about 10.5 mol %, about 10.6 mol %, about 10.7 mol %, about 10.8 mol %, about 10.9 mol %, about 11 mol %, about 11.1 mol %, about 11.2 mol %, about 11.3 mol %, about 11.4 mol %, about 11.5 mol %, about 11.6 mol %, about 11.7 mol %, about 11.8 mol %, about 11.9 mol %, about 12 mol %, about 15 mol %, about 20 mol %, or about 25 mol %. In preferred embodiments, the ligand loading is 12 mol %.

Where a chiral ligand is used, the reactions of the invention may enrich the stereocenter bearing the R¹- and R²-connected fragments in the product relative to the enrichment at this center, if any, of the starting material. In certain embodiments, the chiral ligand used in the methods of the invention yields a compound of Formula (IX), (VI), (VII), (VIII), or (XI) that is enantioenriched. The level of enantioenrichment of a compound may be expressed as enantiomeric excess (ee). The ee of a compound may be measured by dividing the difference in the fractions of the enantiomers by the sum of the fractions of the enantiomers. For example, if a compound is found to comprise 98% (S)-enantiomer, and 2% (R) enantiomer, then the ee of the compound is (98−2)/(98+2), or 96%. In certain embodiments, the compound of formula (IX), (VI), (VII), (VIII), or (XI) has about 30% ee or greater, about 40% ee or greater, about 50% ee or greater, 60% ee or greater, about 65% ee or greater, about 70% ee or greater, about 75% ee or greater, about 80% ee or greater, about 85% ee or greater, about 88% ee or greater, about 90% ee or greater, about 91% ee or greater, about 92% ee or greater, about 93% ee or greater, about 94% ee or greater, about 95% ee or greater, about 96% ee or greater, about 97% ee or greater, about 98% ee or greater, or about 99% ee or greater, even where this % ee is greater than the % ee of the starting material, such as 0% ee (racemic).

In certain embodiments, the compound of formula (IX), (VI), (VII), (VIII), or (XI) is enantioenriched. In certain embodiments, the compound of formula (IX), (VI), (VII), (VIII), or (XI) is enantiopure.

In embodiments where the starting material has more than one stereocenter, reactions of the invention may enrich the stereocenter bearing the R¹- and R²-connected fragments relative to the enrichment at this center, if any, of the starting material, and substantially independently of the stereochemical disposition/enrichment of any other stereocenters of the molecule. For example, a product of the methods described herein may have about 30% ee or greater, about 40% ee or greater, about 50% ee or greater, about 60% ee or greater, about 70% ee or greater, about 80% ee or greater, about 90% ee or greater, about 95% ee or greater, about 98% ee or greater, or even about 99% ee or greater at the stereocenter of the product bearing the R¹- and R²-connected fragments.

Alkylation Conditions In certain embodiments, the methods of the invention include treating a compound of Formula (I), (Ia), or (IV), with a compound of Formula (IIa) or (IIb), in the presence of a nickel catalyst, for example, a nickel catalyst prepared by contacting a Ni(0) source with a ligand, or alternatively treating a compound of Formula (XII) with a nickel catalyst, for example, a nickel catalyst prepared by contacting a Ni(0) source with a ligand, under alkylation conditions. In certain embodiments, alkylation conditions of the reaction include one or more organic solvents. In certain embodiments, organic solvents include aromatic or non-aromatic hydrocarbons, ethers, alkylacetates, nitriles, or combinations thereof. In certain embodiments, organic solvents include hexane, pentane, benzene, toluene, xylene, cyclic ethers such as optionally substituted tetrahydrofuran and dioxane, acyclic ethers such as dimethoxyethane, diethyl ether, methyl tert-butyl ether, and cyclopentyl methyl ether, acetonitrile, isobutyl acetate, ethyl acetate, isopropyl acetate, or combinations thereof. In preferred embodiments, the solvent is tetrahydrofuran, dioxane, toluene, diethyl ether, methyl t-butyl ether, or combinations thereof. In certain preferred embodiments, the solvent is diethyl ether. In certain preferred embodiments, the solvent is toluene, methyl t-butyl ether, or a combination thereof. Combination solvents may be mixed in any proportions, including but not limited to 1:1, 1:2, 1:3, 1:4, 1:5, 2:3, 2:5, 3:4, or 3:5. In certain preferred embodiments, the solvent is a 2:3 mixture of toluene and methyl t-butyl ether.

In certain embodiments, alkylation conditions of the reaction include a reaction temperature. In certain embodiments, the reaction temperature is ambient temperature (about 20° C. to about 26° C., such as about 23° C.). In certain embodiments, the reaction temperature is higher than ambient temperature, such as, for example, about 30° C., about 35° C., about 40° C., about 45° C., about 50° C., about 55° C., or about 60° C. In certain embodiments, the reaction temperature is lower than ambient temperature, such as, for example, about 15° C., about 10° C., about 5° C., about 0° C., about −5° C., about −10° C., or about −15° C. Reaction temperature may be optimized per each substrate.

In certain embodiments, instruments such as a microwave reactor may be used to accelerate the reaction time. Pressures range from atmospheric to pressures typically used in conjunction with supercritical fluids, with the preferred pressure being atmospheric.

Exemplary Syntheses of Compound Libraries

Diverse, small molecule compound libraries (including salts of compounds) may be generally synthesized according to Schemes 1-5.

wherein R is R² as defined herein.

wherein, as valence and stability permit, R is R² as defined herein, R′ is alkyl, aryl, alkenyl, cycloalkyl, heterocyclyl, or hetaryl, PG is a protecting group, and X is halogen (such as chloro or bromo), OTf, OMs, ONf, or OTs.

wherein, as valence and stability permit, PG is a protecting group and R is amino, alkyl, alkenyl, aryl, sulfhydryl, hydroxyl, hetaryl, oxo-alkyl, or any other nucleophilic group known to those of ordinary skill in the art.

wherein, as valence and stability permit, R is R² as defined herein, and R′ is alkyl, benzyl, allyl, aryl, or acyl.

wherein, as valence and stability permit, R is R² as defined herein and PG is a protecting group. Pharmaceutical Agents and Compositions

Also provided herein are methods of synthesizing a pharmaceutical agent and/or composition, comprising preparing a compound of Formula (IX), (VI), (VII), (VIII), or (XI) according to a method as described herein. Also provided herein are methods of synthesizing a pharmaceutical agent and/or composition, comprising preparing a compound of Formula (IX), (VI), (VII), (VIII), or (XI) according to a method as described herein and synthesizing the pharmaceutical agent and/or composition from the compound of Formula (IX), (VI), (VII), (VIII), or (XI), e.g., by carrying out one or more chemical reactions on the compound of Formula (IX), (VI), (VII), (VIII), or (XI) and/or combining the pharmaceutical agent with one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers and/or excipients.

The pharmaceutical agent and/or composition prepared from the compound of Formula (IX), (VI), (VII), (VIII), or (XI) may be utilized to treat an individual in need thereof. In certain embodiments, the individual is a mammal such as a human, or a non-human mammal. When administered to an animal, such as a human, the composition or the compound is preferably administered as a pharmaceutical composition comprising, for example, a compound of the invention and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Pharmaceutically acceptable carriers are well known in the art and include, for example, aqueous solutions such as water or physiologically buffered saline or other solvents or vehicles such as glycols, glycerol, oils such as olive oil, or injectable organic esters. In preferred embodiments, when such pharmaceutical compositions are for human administration, particularly for invasive routes of administration (i.e., routes, such as injection or implantation, that circumvent transport or diffusion through an epithelial barrier), the aqueous solution is pyrogen-free, or substantially pyrogen-free. The excipients can be chosen, for example, to effect delayed release of an agent or to selectively target one or more cells, tissues or organs. The pharmaceutical composition can be in dosage unit form such as tablet, capsule (including sprinkle capsule and gelatin capsule), granule, lyophile for reconstitution, powder, solution, syrup, suppository, injection or the like. The composition can also be present in a transdermal delivery system, e.g., a skin patch. The composition can also be present in a solution suitable for topical administration, such as a lotion, cream, or ointment.

Methods of preparing these formulations or compositions include the step of bringing into association an active compound, such as a compound of the invention, with the carrier and, optionally, one or more accessory ingredients. In general, the formulations are prepared by uniformly and intimately bringing into association a compound of the present invention with liquid carriers, or finely divided solid carriers, or both, and then, if necessary, shaping the product.

Synthetic Schemes of Exemplary Pharmaceutical Products

wherein, as valence and stability permit, R and R′ are each independently H, alkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkyl, or aryl.

EXAMPLES

The invention now being generally described, it will be more readily understood by reference to the following examples that are included merely for purposes of illustration of certain aspects and embodiments of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the invention.

Example 1 Nickel-Catalyzed Enantioselective Allylic Alkylation of Lactones and Lactams with Unactivated Allylic Alcohols

Summary

The first nickel-catalyzed enantioselective allylic alkylation of lactone and lactam substrates to deliver products bearing an all-carbon quaternary stereocenter is reported. The reaction, which utilizes a commercially available chiral bisphosphine ligand, proceeds in good yield with a high level of enantioselectivity (up to 90% ee) on a range of unactivated allylic alcohols for both lactone and lactam nucleophiles. The utility of this method is further highlighted via a number of synthetically useful product transformations.

Results and Discussion

The enantioselective allylic alkylation between α-ethoxycarbonyl lactone 1a and allyl alcohol (2a) using Ni(COD)₂ and (R)-BINAP in diethyl ether at 0° C. was investigated. Although the α-quaternary lactone product 3aa was obtained in good yield, only moderate enantioselectivity was achieved.

A wide variety of commercially available ligand scaffolds were investigated. Chiral bisphosphine ligands were discovered to exhibit superior enantioselectivity to other classes of ligands, including those commonly used in asymmetric allylic alkylations such as phosphinooxazolines (PHOX) or C2-asymmetric ligands. In the presence of Ni(COD)₂ (10 mol %) and chiral bisphosphine ligands L1-L4 (12 mol %) in Et₂O, the reaction proceeds with moderate levels of enantioselectivity (Table 1, entries 1-4).

The highest enantiomeric excess (ee) was achieved with (R)-P-phos (L4), which delivers α-quaternary lactone 3aa in 82% yield and 82% ee (entry 4). Decreasing the catalyst loading to 5 mol % requires exceedingly long reaction time (entry 5).

An examination of different temperatures revealed that decreasing the temperature improves ee (entries 6-7), albeit with slightly diminished yields. Prolonged reaction time (48 h) at −10° C. affords product 3aa in 80% yield and 85% ee (entry 8). Importantly, a control experiment performed in the absence of the chiral ligand shows no background reaction (entry 9).

TABLE 1 Optimization of reaction parameters.^([a])

entry ligand temp (° C.) % yield^([b]) % ee^([c]) 1 L1 0 53 75 2 L2 0 76 78 3 L3 0 93 79 4 L4 0 82 82  5^([d]) L4 0 62 81 6 L4 23 86 74 7 L4 −10 69 84  8^([e]) L4 −10 80 85 9 — 0 0 — ^([a])Conditions: 1a (0.1 mmol), 2a (0.1 mmol), Ni(COD)₂ (10 mol %), ligand (12 mol %) in Et₂O (1.0 mL)_(.) ^([b])Yields determined by ¹H NMR of crude reaction mixture using 1,3,5-trimethoxybenzene as a standard. ^([c])Determined by chiral SFC analysis of the isolated product. ^([d])Ni(COD)₂ (5 mol %) and L4 (6 mol %) were used. ^([e])Reaction time = 48 h.

The scope of this asymmetric transformation was investigated (Table 2). The reaction of α-methoxycarbonyl lactone 1b, possessing a smaller alkyl group at the ester fragment, with allyl alcohol (2a) provides α-quaternary lactone 3ba in comparable yield and ee to the allylated product 3aa. Bicyclic lactone 1c could also be used to furnish product 3ca in slightly diminished yield and enantioselectivity. With respect to the electrophile scope, reactions between lactone 1a with various substituted allyl alcohols proceed with good ee (78-90% ee) at increased temperature (10° C.). Although a trend in enantioselectivity was not observed, the electronic nature of the aryl substituent does affect the reactivity. Electrophiles containing electron rich aryl substituents provide the corresponding products in greater yields than their electron-deficient counterparts (3ac-3ag). Furthermore, para- and meta-substituted aryl rings exhibited higher reactivity as compared to the ortho-substituted aryl ring (3ac, 3ah-ai vs. 3aj). Apart from the aryl-substituted electrophiles, heteroaryl substitution is also well-tolerated (3ak-3al). The reaction with an aliphatic electrophile affords product 3am in slightly diminished yield and ee. In addition, an alkenyl-substituted electrophile fares well under the reaction conditions, delivering product 3an in an excellent 91% yield and 88% ee.

TABLE 2 Nucleophile and electrophile scope.^([a])

^([a])Reactions performed on 0.2 mmol. ^([b])Yield of isolated product. ^([c])Reaction performed at −10° C. ^([d])Determined by chiral SFC analysis. ^([e])Absolute configuration determined via single crystal x-ray analysis.

The transformation of nitrogen-containing lactam nucleophiles was also investigated. Under modified reaction conditions using the same chiral bisphosphine ligand L4, α-ester lactams 4a-4b furnish products 5aa-5ba in good yields and with even higher enantioselectivity as compared to their lactone counterparts (Table 3). Reaction of α-ethoxycarbonyl benzoyl-protected lactam 4a with branched cinnamyl alcohol affords linear product 5ab in 74% yield and 90% ee.

TABLE 3 α-acyl lactam prochiral nucleophiles.^([a])

[a]Reactions performed on 0.2 mmol. ^([b])Yield of isolated product. ^([c])Determined by chiral SFC analysis. ^([d])Reaction performed at 30° C.

In order to gain mechanistic insights into this transformation, the results from reactions using linear and branched cinnamyl alcohols (Table 4) were compared. Only the linear product was detected, indicating that a nickel π-allyl is likely an intermediate in the catalytic cycle. The ability of this catalyst combination to access a single product from two electrophilic coupling partners highlights its flexibility in potential synthetic applications.

TABLE 4 Linear vs. branched cinnamyl alcohol.^([a])

Entry elec temp (° C.) % conversion^([b]) % yield^([b]) % ee^([c]) 1 L 10 60 59 92 2 B 10 58 55 92 3 L 30 >95  86 91 4 B 30 90 83 91 ^([a])Reactions performed on 0.1 mmol scale ^([b])Yields determined by ¹H NMR of crude reaction mixture using benzyl ether as a standard. ^([c])Determined by chiral SFC analysis of the isolated product.

To demonstrate the synthetic utility of the α-quaternary products, a number of product transformations on both α-quaternary lactone 3aa (Scheme 10) and lactam 5aa (Scheme 11) were performed. Selective reduction of the lactone functionality in 3aa provides diol 6 in 88% yield. Additionally, vinyl Grignard addition into lactone 3aa affords enone 7 in 67% yield with no erosion of enantioselectivity. These enantioenriched acyclic products 6 and 7 bearing a quaternary stereocenter are envisioned to be useful chiral building blocks as they contain multiple functional handles for further manipulations. For example, enantioenriched spirocycle 8 can be accessed via ring-closing metathesis followed by lactonization of enone 7.

Experiments to probe the reactivity of the α-quaternary lactam products were performed. Reduction of lactam 5aa with lithium aluminium hydride delivers chiral piperidine derivative 9, which is of potential value to medicinal chemists. Use of the aldehyde selective Wacker procedure (K. E. Kim, J. Li, R. H. Grubbs, B. M. Stoltz, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2016, 138, 13179-13182) affords aldehyde 10 in 75% yield. Lastly, cleavage of the benzoyl protecting group under basic conditions provides unprotected lactam 11 in 84% yield.

Materials and Methods

Unless otherwise stated, reactions were performed in flame-dried glassware under an argon or nitrogen atmosphere using dry, deoxygenated solvents. Solvents were dried by passage through an activated alumina column under argon. Reaction progress was monitored by thin-layer chromatography (TLC) or Agilent 1290 UHPLC-MS. TLC was performed using E. Merck silica gel 60 F254 precoated glass plates (0.25 mm) and visualized by UV fluorescence quenching, p-anisaldehyde, or KMnO₄ staining. Silicycle SiliaFlash® P60 Academic Silica gel (particle size 40-63 nm) was used for flash chromatography. ¹H NMR spectra were recorded on Bruker 400 MHz or Varian Mercury 300 MHz spectrometers and are reported relative to residual CHCl₃ (δ 7.26 ppm). ¹³C NMR spectra were recorded on Bruker 400 MHz spectrometer (101 MHz) and are reported relative to CHCl₃ (δ 77.16 ppm). ¹⁹F NMR spectra were recorded on Varian Mercury 300 MHz spectrometer (282 MHz). Data for ¹H NMR are reported as follows: chemical shift (δ ppm) (multiplicity, coupling constant (Hz), integration). Multiplicities are reported as follows: s=singlet, d=doublet, t=triplet, q=quartet, p=pentet, sept=septuplet, m=multiplet, br s=broad singlet, br d=broad doublet, app=apparent. Data for ¹³C NMR are reported in terms of chemical shifts (δ ppm). IR spectra were obtained using Perkin Elmer Spectrum BXII spectrometer or Nicolet 6700 FTIR spectrometer using thin films deposited on NaCl plates and reported in frequency of absorption (cm⁻¹). Optical rotations were measured with a Jasco P-2000 polarimeter operating on the sodium D-line (589 nm), using a 100 mm path-length cell and are reported as: [α]_(D) ^(T) (concentration in 10 mg/1 mL, solvent). Analytical SFC was performed with a Mettler SFC supercritical CO₂ analytical chromatography system utilizing Chiralpak (AD-H, AS-H or IC) or Chiralcel (OD-H, OJ-H, or OB-H) columns (4.6 mm×25 cm) obtained from Daicel Chemical Industries, Ltd. High resolution mass spectra (HRMS) were obtained from Agilent 6200 Series TOF with an Agilent G1978A Multimode source in electrospray ionization (ESI+), atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI+), or mixed ionization mode (MM: ESI-APCI+), or obtained from Caltech mass spectrometry laboratory. Low-temperature diffraction data (ϕ- and ω-scans) were collected on a Bruker AXS D8 VENTURE KAPPA diffractometer coupled to a PHOTON 100 CMOS detector with Cu Kα radiation (λ=1.54178 Å) from an IμS micro-source for the structure of compound P17471. The structure was solved by direct methods using SHELXS and refined against F² on all data by full-matrix least squares with SHELXL-2016 using established refinement techniques. All non-hydrogen atoms were refined anisotropically. All hydrogen atoms were included into the model at geometrically calculated positions and refined using a riding model. The isotropic displacement parameters of all hydrogen atoms were fixed to 1.2 times the U value of the atoms they are linked to (1.5 times for methyl groups).

Reagents were purchased from Sigma-Aldrich, Acros Organics, Strem, or Alfa Aesar and used as received unless otherwise stated.

List of Abbreviations

ee—enantiomeric excess, SFC—supercritical fluid chromatography, TLC—thin-layer chromatography, IPA—isopropanol, MTBE—methyl tert-butyl ether, PE—petroleum ether, LHMDS—lithium bis(trimethylsilyl)amide, Bz—benzoyl, Ts—Tosyl, Boc—tert-butyloxycarbonyl

Synthesis of Nucleophiles: Experimental Procedures and Spectroscopic Data General Procedure 1: α-Acylation of Lactones

Ethyl 2-oxotetrahydro-2H-pyran-3-carboxylate (1a): To a solution of LHMDS (3.43 g, 20.5 mmol, 2.05 equiv) in THF (20 mL) was added a mixture of delta-valerolactone (1.00 g, 10.0 mmol, 1.00 equiv) and diethyl carbonate (1.3 mL, 11.0 mmol, 1.10 equiv) at −78° C. After stirring at room temperature for 6 hours, the reaction was quenched with glacial acetic acid (5 mL), diluted with Et₂O (20 mL), and stirred for 5 minutes. The insoluble white solid was filtered off and rinsed with more Et₂O. The filtrate was concentrated and purified by column chromatography (50% to 65% Et₂O in PET) to afford 1a as a colorless oil (1.20 g, 70% yield); ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 4.46-4.31 (m, 2H), 4.25 (qd, J=7.1, 1.7 Hz, 2H), 3.56 (dd, J=8.3, 7.5 Hz, 1H), 2.38-2.08 (m, 2H), 2.08-1.80 (m, 2H), 1.30 (t, J=7.1 Hz, 3H). All characterization data match those reported.

Methyl 2-oxotetrahydro-2H-pyran-3-carboxylate (1b): Compound 1b was prepared from dimethyl carbonate using general procedure 1 (1.38 g, 87% yield); ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 4.46-4.32 (m, 2H), 3.80 (s, 3H), 3.58 (dd, J=8.4, 7.5 Hz, 1H), 2.38-2.06 (m, 2H), 2.02-1.81 (m, 2H). All characterization data match those reported.

Ethyl 2-oxochromane-3-carboxylate (1c): Compound 1c was prepared from dihydrocoumarin and diethyl carbonate using general procedure 1 (0.28 g, 25% yield); ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.33-7.18 (m, 2H), 7.17-6.99 (m, 2H), 4.34-4.08 (m, 2H), 3.76 (dd, J=8.5, 6.1 Hz, 1H), 3.42 (dd, J=16.0, 8.5 Hz, 1H), 3.18 (dd, J=16.0, 6.0 Hz, 1H), 1.21 (t, J=7.1 Hz, 3H). All characterization data match those reported.

General Procedure 2: α-Acylation of Lactams

Ethyl 1-benzoyl-2-oxopiperidine-3-carboxylate (4a): To a solution of diisopropylamine (1.7 mL, 12 mmol, 1.2 equiv) in THF (65 mL) at 0° C., n-BuLi (4.6 mL, 11 mmol, 2.4 M in hexanes, 1.1 equiv) was added dropwise over 10 minutes. After stirring for 30 min at 0° C., the solution was cooled to −78° C. and a solution of benzoyl-protected lactam (2.0 g, 12 mmol, 1.2 equiv) in THF (17 mL) was then added over 5 minutes. The reaction mixture was stirred at −78° C. for 2 hours and warmed to −30° C. for 1 hour. Ethyl cyanoformate (1.1 mL, 11 mmol, 1.1 equiv) was then added at −78° C. The reaction was allowed to slowly warm to room temperature overnight. Upon complete consumption of starting material by TLC, the reaction was quenched with saturated NH₄Cl. The aqueous layer was extracted with EtOAc (50 mL×4). The combined organic phases were washed with brine (50 mL), dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered, and concentrated under vacuum.

The crude residue was purified by column chromatography (30% EtOAc in hexanes) to provide product 4a as a white amorphous solid (1.47 g, 53% yield); ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.73-7.66 (m, 2H), 7.52-7.44 (m, 1H), 7.43-7.34 (m, 2H), 4.25 (q, J=7.1 Hz, 2H), 3.89-3.75 (m, 2H), 3.58-3.50 (m, 1H), 2.40-2.27 (m, 1H), 2.22-2.00 (m, 2H), 2.00-1.89 (m, 1H), 1.32 (t, J=7.1 Hz, 3H); ¹³C NMR (101 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 174.7, 170.0, 169.6, 135.6, 132.0, 128.3, 128.2, 62.0, 51.2, 46.4, 25.6, 20.7, 14.2; IR (Neat Film, NaCl) 3062, 2980, 1734, 1701, 1683, 1476, 1449, 1392, 1285, 1258, 1185, 1152, 1113, 1026, 999, 730, 670, 638 cm⁻¹; HRMS (MM) m/z calc'd for C₁₅H₁₈NO₄ [M+H]⁺: 276.1230, found 276.1237.

Methyl 1-benzoyl-2-oxopiperidine-3-carboxylate (4b): Compound 4b was prepared from Bz-protected lactam and methyl cyanoformate using general procedure 2 and purified by column chromatography (40% EtOAc in hexanes) to provide a colorless amorphous solid (0.33 g, 51% yield); ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.73-7.65 (m, 2H), 7.48 (m, 1H), 7.43-7.36 (m, 2H), 3.86-3.80 (m, 2H), 3.79 (s, 3H), 3.59 (t, J=6.4 Hz, 1H), 2.39-2.27 (m, 1H), 2.23-2.03 (m, 2H), 2.02-1.89 (m, 1H); ¹³C NMR (101 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 174.7, 170.5, 169.6, 135.6, 132.0, 128.3, 128.3, 52.9, 51.1, 46.4, 25.6, 20.9; IR (Neat Film, NaCl) 2953, 1738, 1681, 1600, 1449, 1392, 1284, 1258, 1200, 1151, 1115, 1065, 973, 954, 857, 796, 731, 701, 639; HRMS (MM) m/z calc'd for C₁₄H₁₆NO₄ [M+H]⁺: 262.1074, found 262.1066.

1-(tert-butyl) 3-ethyl 2-oxopiperidine-1,3-dicarboxylate: This compound was prepared from Boc-protected lactam using general procedure 2 and purified by column chromatography (20% EtOAc in hexanes) to provide a colorless oil (0.47 g, 70% yield); ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 4.30-4.13 (m, 2H), 3.75-3.62 (m, 2H), 3.49 (dd, J=8.7, 6.8 Hz, 1H), 2.24-2.02 (m, 2H), 1.96 (dtt, J=14.1, 6.6, 5.2 Hz, 1H), 1.81 (dddt, J=14.1, 8.8, 7.5, 5.3 Hz, 1H), 1.52 (s, 9H), 1.29 (t, J=7.1 Hz, 3H); ¹³C NMR (101 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 170.1, 167.6, 152.8, 83.6, 61.7, 51.6, 45.9, 28.1, 24.4, 21.2, 14.2; IR (Neat Film, NaCl) 2980, 2939, 1772, 1717, 1478, 1458, 1393, 1369, 1297, 1252, 1146, 1115, 1096, 1056, 1029, 937, 852, 778, 748, 642; HRMS (MM) m/z calc'd for C₁₃H₂₁NO₅Na [M+Na]⁺: 294.1312, found 294.1315.

Ethyl 2-oxo-1-tosylpiperidine-3-carboxylate: This compound was prepared from tosyl-protected lactam using general procedure 1 and purified by column chromatography (35% to 40% EtOAc in hexanes) to provide a colorless oil (0.32 g, 41% yield); ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.90 (d, J=8.4 Hz, 2H), 7.31 (d, J=7.9, 2H), 4.12 (qd, J=7.1, 1.2 Hz, 2H), 4.03-3.84 (m, 2H), 3.41 (dd, J=7.5, 6.3 Hz, 1H), 2.43 (s, 3H), 2.19-1.97 (m, 3H), 1.96-1.82 (m, 1H), 1.18 (t, J=7.1 Hz, 3H); ¹³C NMR (101 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 169.3, 166.6, 145.1, 135.7, 129.5, 128.9, 61.9, 50.9, 46.6, 24.3, 21.8, 21.5, 14.1; IR (Neat Film, NaCl) 2980, 1737, 1694, 1456, 1353, 1289, 1169, 1089, 1036, 1008, 827, 815, 706, 670, 653; HRMS (MM) m/z calc'd for C₁₅H₂₀NO₅S [M+H]⁺: 326.1057, found 326.1066.

Ethyl 1-methyl-2-oxopiperidine-3-carboxylate: This compound was prepared from methyl-protected lactam using A previously reported procedure. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 4.31-4.08 (m, 2H), 3.44-3.20 (m, 3H), 2.96 (s, 3H), 2.24-1.89 (m, 3H), 1.89-1.69 (m, 1H), 1.28 (t, J=7.1 Hz, 3H). All characterization data match those reported.

Ethyl 2-oxo-1-phenylpiperidine-3-carboxylate: This compound was prepared from phenyl-protected lactam using general procedure 2 and purified by column chromatography (40% EtOAc in hexanes) to provide a pale yellow solid (0.53 g, 42% yield); ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.42-7.35 (m, 2H), 7.29-7.22 (m, 3H), 4.31-4.15 (m, 2H), 3.76-3.61 (m, 2H), 3.57 (dd, J=7.8, 6.4 Hz, 1H), 2.35-2.04 (m, 3H), 2.00-1.88 (m, 1H), 1.30 (t, J=7.1 Hz, 3H); ¹³C NMR (101 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 171.1, 166.2, 142.9, 129.3, 127.0, 126.1, 61.5, 51.4, 49.7, 25.3, 21.5, 14.3; IR (Neat Film, NaCl) 2943, 1734, 1654, 1595, 1494, 1462, 1427, 1371, 1353, 1308, 1259, 1197, 1171, 1036, 763, 697, 659; HRMS (MM) m/z calc'd for C₁₄H₁₈NO₃ [M+H]⁺: 248.1281, found 248.1278.

Ethyl 1-benzyl-2-oxopiperidine-3-carboxylate: This compound was prepared from benzyl-protected lactam using general procedure 2 (0.32 g, 56% yield); ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.37-7.23 (m, 5H), 4.73 (d, J=14.7 Hz, 1H), 4.51 (d, J=14.7 Hz, 1H), 4.24 (qd, J=7.1, 4.0 Hz, 2H), 3.59-3.43 (m, 1H), 3.36-3.12 (m, 2H), 2.29-1.97 (m, 2H), 1.97-1.83 (m, 1H), 1.82-1.64 (m, 1H), 1.31 (t, J=7.2 Hz, 3H). All characterization data match those reported.

Nickel-Catalyzed Asymmetric Allylic Alkylation Reactions: General Procedures

Please note that the absolute configuration was determined only for compound 3af via x-ray crystallographic analysis. The absolute configuration for all other products has been inferred by analogy. For respective HPLC and SFC conditions, please refer to Table 7.

General Procedure 3: Nickel-Catalyzed Asymmetric Allylic Alkylation of Lactones

In a nitrogen-filled glovebox, to an oven-dried 4-mL vial equipped with a stir bar was added (R)-P-Phos ligand L4 (15.5 mg, 0.024 mmol, 12 mol %) and Ni(COD)₂ (5.5 mg, 0.02 mmol, 10 mol %) in Et₂O (1.2 mL). The vial was then capped with a PTFE-lined septum cap and stirred at room temperature. After 30 minutes, the catalyst mixture was cooled to 10° C. Precooled nucleophile (0.2 mmol, 1 equiv) in Et₂O (0.4 mL) and electrophile (0.2 mmol, 1 equiv) in Et₂O (0.4 mL) at 10° C. were prepared and then added to the catalyst mixture at 10° C. The vial was sealed with a PTFE-lined septum cap and stirred at 10° C. After 48 h, the vial was removed from the glovebox. The crude reaction mixture was filtered through a silica plug with Et₂O, concentrated under vacuum, and purified by silica gel flash chromatography to furnish the product.

General Procedure 4: Nickel-Catalyzed Asymmetric Allylic Alkylation of Lactams

In a nitrogen-filled glovebox, to an oven-dried 4-mL vial equipped with a stir bar was added (R)-P-Phos ligand L4 (15.5 mg, 0.024 mmol, 12 mol %) and Ni(COD)₂ (5.5 mg, 0.02 mmol, 10 mol %) in MTBE (1.2 mL). The vial was then capped with a PTFE-lined septum cap and stirred at room temperature. After 30 minutes, the catalyst mixture was cooled to 10° C. Precooled nucleophile (0.2 mmol, 1 equiv) in toluene (0.4 mL) and electrophile (0.2 mmol, 1 equiv) in toluene (0.4 mL) at 10° C. were prepared and then added to the catalyst mixture at 10° C. The vial was sealed with a PTFE-lined septum cap and stirred at 10° C. After 48 h, the vial was removed from the glovebox. The crude reaction mixture was filtered through a silica plug with Et₂O, concentrated under vacuum, and purified by silica gel flash chromatography to furnish the product.

Additional Ligand Screen Results

TABLE 5 Additional Ligand Screen

Entry Ligand ee (%)  1 L5  14  2 L6  20  3 L7  —  4 L8  −60   5 L9  57  6 L10 67  7 L11 −63   8 L12 —  9 L13  8 10 L14 19 11 L15 — 12 L16 11 13 L17 24 14 L18 — 15 L19 12 16 L20 — 17 L21 — 18 L22 17 19 L23  0 20 L24 −34  21 L25 — 22 L26 −6 23 L27  3 24 L28 — 25 L29 31 26 L30  9 27 L31 −15 28 L32 −22 29 L33 — 30 L34 −73 31 L35 — 32 L36 — 33 L37 — 34 L38 — 35 L39 — 36 L40 −44 Ligand List:

Solvent Effects in Nickel-Catalyzed Asymmetric Allylic Alkylation of Lactones

TABLE 6 Solvent Effects^([a])

Solvent (% ee)^([b]) Ligand Et₂O MTBE THF Dioxane Toluene L1: (R)-BINAP 62% ee 65% ee 41% ee 18% ee 45% ee L2: (R)-H₈-BINAP 74% ee 72% ee 60% ee 22% ee 46% ee L3: (R)-Segphos 72% ee 70% ee 45% ee 28% ee 46% ee L4: (R)-P-phos 74% ee 67% ee 52% ee 25% ee 51% ee ^([a])Conditions: lactone (0.05 mmol), alcohol (0.05 mmol), Ni(COD)₂ (10 mol %), ligand (12 mol %) for 19 h. ^([b])Determined by chiral SFC analysis.

Optimization of Reaction Parameters for Lactams

TABLE 7 Optimization of reaction parameters for lactam 4a^([a])

entry PG ligand solvent yield [%]^([b]) ee [%]^([c]) 1 Bz L2 PhMe:MTBE (2:3) 95 77 2 Bz L3 PhMe:MTBE (2:3) >95  88 3 Bz L4 PhMe:MTBE (2:3) 79 90  4^([d]) Bz L4 PhMe:MTBE (2:3) 28 68 6 Bz L4 PhMe:Et₂O (2:3) 70 88 6 Bz L4 PhMe 51 88 7 Bz L4 THF 15 76  8^([e]) Bz L4 PhMe:MTBE (2:3) >95  88 ^([a])Conditions: lactam (0.1 mmol), alcohol (0.1 mmol), Ni(COD)₂ (10 reel %), ligand (12 mol %) for 48 h. ^([b])Yields determined by ¹H NMR of crude reaction mixture using trimethoxybenzene as a standard. ^([c])Determined by chiral SFC analysis. ^([d])5 mol % Ni(COD)₂ and 6 mol % L4 were used. ^([e])Reaction performed at 23° C.

Spectroscopic Data for Products from Catalytic Reactions

Ethyl (R)-3-allyl-2-oxotetrahydro-2H-pyran-3-carboxylate (3aa)

Product 3aa was prepared using general procedure 3 at −10° C. and purified by column chromatography (15% EtOAc in hexanes) to provide a colorless oil (31.8 mg, 75% yield); 86% ee, [α]_(D) ²⁵ +3.84 (c 0.99, CHCl₃); ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 5.84-5.69 (m, 1H), 5.19-5.08 (m, 2H), 4.34-4.23 (m, 2H), 4.21 (q, J=7.1 Hz, 2H), 2.73 (ddt, J=13.8, 6.8, 1.2 Hz, 1H), 2.59 (ddt, J=13.9, 7.9, 1.0 Hz, 1H), 2.38-2.25 (m, 1H), 2.05-1.88 (m, 1H), 1.92-1.79 (m, 2H), 1.27 (t, J=7.1 Hz, 3H); ¹³C NMR (101 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 171.2, 170.0, 132.6, 119.9, 69.0, 62.2, 54.0, 40.8, 28.0, 20.6, 14.2; IR (Neat Film, NaCl) 2981, 1732, 1457, 1399, 1367, 1348, 1244, 1200, 1162, 1108, 1026, 974, 925, 857, 640 cm⁻¹; HRMS (MM) m/z calc'd for C₁₁H₁₇O₄[M+H]⁺: 213.1121, found 213.1120; SFC Conditions: 25% IPA, 2.5 mL/min, Chiralpak IC column, λ=210 nm, t_(R) (min): major=2.66, minor=3.29.

Methyl (R)-3-allyl-2-oxotetrahydro-2H-pyran-3-carboxylate (3ba)

Product 3ba was prepared using general procedure 3 at −10° C. and purified by column chromatography (30% EtOAc in hexanes) to provide a colorless oil (25.5 mg, 64% yield); 86% ee, [α]_(D) ²⁵ +5.071 (c 0.896, CHCl₃); ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 5.85-5.66 (m, 1H), 5.20-5.10 (m, 2H), 4.33-4.26 (m, 2H), 3.76 (s, 3H), 2.75 (ddt, J=13.8, 6.8, 1.3 Hz, 1H), 2.61 (ddt, J=13.8, 7.8, 1.0 Hz, 1H), 2.39-2.26 (m, 1H), 2.03-1.77 (m, 3H); ¹³C NMR (101 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 171.8, 169.9, 132.5, 120.1, 69.2, 54.1, 53.2, 40.9, 28.1, 20.6; IR (Neat Film, NaCl) 3079, 2955, 2920, 1733, 1640, 1480, 1436, 1401, 1349, 1321, 1277, 1247, 1204, 1164, 1122, 1108, 1076, 1000, 978, 126, 844, 716, 659, 640; HRMS (MM) m/z calc'd for C₁₀H₁₅O₄[M+H]⁺: 199.0965, found 199.0970; SFC Conditions 20% IPA, 2.5 mL/min, Chiralpak IC column λ=210 nm, t_(R) (min): major=3.35, minor=3.99.

Ethyl (S)-3-allyl-2-oxochromane-3-carboxylate (3ca)

Product 3ca was prepared using general procedure 3 at −10° C. and purified by column chromatography (5% EtOAc in hexanes) to provide a colorless oil (31.9 mg, 61% yield); 64% ee, [α]_(D) ²⁵ −30.75 (c 0.92, CHCl₃); ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.33-7.13 (m, 2H), 7.13-7.00 (m, 2H), 5.91 (ddt, J=16.6, 10.6, 7.3 Hz, 1H), 5.23-5.12 (m, 2H), 4.05 (qq, J=10.8, 7.1 Hz, 2H), 3.26 (d, 15.9 Hz, 1H), 3.04 (d, J=15.9 Hz, 1H), 2.84-2.67 (m, 2H), 1.02 (t, J=7.1 Hz, 3H); ¹³C NMR (101 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 169.5, 167.2, 151.2, 132.1, 128.7, 128.5, 124.8, 121.4, 120.4, 116.5, 62.2, 53.3, 38.6, 32.5, 14.0; IR (Neat Film, NaCl) 3079, 2982, 2936, 1774, 1738, 1653, 1640, 1590, 1541, 1490, 1460, 1344, 1232, 1190, 1145, 1096, 1020, 921, 858, 759, 658; HRMS (MM) m/z calc'd for C₁₅H₁₇O₄[M+H]⁺: 261.1121, found 261.1123; SFC Conditions: 5% IPA, 2.5 mL/min, Chiralcel OB-H column, λ=210 nm, t_(R) (min): minor=2.22, major=2.64.

Ethyl (R)-3-cinnamyl-2-oxotetrahydro-2H-pyran-3-carboxylate (3ab)

Product 3ab was prepared using general procedure 3 and purified by column chromatography (15% EtOAc in hexanes) to provide a colorless oil (34.4 mg, 60% yield); 90% ee, [α]_(D) ²⁵ −12.15 (c 0.64, CHCl₃); ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.38-7.25 (m, 4H), 7.27-7.17 (m, 1H), 6.47 (dt, J=16.0, 1.4 Hz, 1H), 6.19 (ddd, J=15.8, 8.0, 7.0 Hz, 1H), 4.35-4.17 (m, 4H), 2.91 (ddd, J=13.8, 7.0, 1.4 Hz, 1H), 2.74 (ddd, J=13.8, 8.0, 1.2 Hz, 1H), 2.45-2.31 (m, 1H), 2.11-1.77 (m, 3H), 1.27 (t, J=7.1 Hz, 3H); ¹³C NMR (101 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 171.2, 170.1, 136.9, 134.8, 128.7, 127.7, 126.4, 124.1, 69.1, 62.3, 54.4, 40.1, 28.1, 20.6, 14.2; IR (Neat Film, NaCl) 2980, 2342, 1955, 1733, 1577, 1449, 1399, 1367, 1243, 1198, 1164, 1026, 971, 910, 858, 746, 695, 642 cm⁻¹; HRMS (MM) m/z calc'd for C₁₇H₂₁O₄[M+H]⁺: 289.1430, found 289.1434; SFC Conditions: 10% IPA, 2.5 mL/min, Chiralpak AD-H column, λ=254 nm, t_(R) (min): major=5.49, minor=6.31.

Ethyl (R,E)-2-oxo-3-(3-(p-tolyl)allyl)tetrahydro-2H-pyran-3-carboxylate (3ac)

Product 3ac was prepared using general procedure 3 and purified by column chromatography (15% EtOAc in hexanes) to provide a white amorphous solid (37.5 mg, 62% yield); 90% ee, [α]_(D) ²⁵ −14.42 (c 0.95, CHCl₃); ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.24 (d, J=8.1 Hz, 2H), 7.15-6.98 (m, 2H), 6.51-6.33 (m, 1H), 6.13 (ddd, J=15.8, 8.1, 7.0 Hz, 1H), 4.31-4.26 (m, 2H), 4.23 (q, J=7.1 Hz, 2H), 2.90 (ddd, J=13.8, 7.0, 1.4 Hz, 1H), 2.72 (ddd, J=13.8, 8.1, 1.2 Hz, 1H), 2.41-2.25 (m, 4H), 2.02-1.78 (m, 3H), 1.27 (t, J=7.1 Hz, 3H); ¹³C NMR (101 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 171.3, 170.1, 137.5, 134.7, 134.2, 129.3, 126.3, 123.0, 69.1, 62.3, 54.4, 40.2, 28.1, 21.3, 20.6, 14.2; IR (Neat Film, NaCl) 2978, 1731, 1513, 1456, 1399, 1367, 1269, 1242, 1197, 1163, 1096, 1025, 972, 859, 803, 642 cm⁻¹; HRMS (MM) m/z calc'd for C₁₈H₂₃O₄[M+H]⁺: 303.1591, found 303.1591; SFC Conditions: 10% IPA, 2.5 mL/min, Chiralpak AD-H column, λ=254 nm, t_(R) (min): major 6.47, minor=7.71.

Ethyl (R,E)-3-(3-(4-methoxyphenyl)allyl)-2-oxotetrahydro-2H-pyran-3-carboxylate (3ad) Product 3ad was prepared using general procedure 3 and purified by column chromatography (15% EtOAc in hexanes) to provide a colorless oil (50.5 mg, 79% yield); 88% ee, [α]_(D) ²⁵ −15.9 (c 0.95, CHCl₃); ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.32-7.24 (m, 2H), 6.89-6.79 (m, 2H), 6.41 (d, 15.8 Hz, 1H), 6.03 (ddd, J=15.7, 8.0, 7.0 Hz, 1H), 4.29 (t, J=5.9 Hz, 2H), 4.22 (q, J=7.2 Hz, 2H), 3.79 (s, 3H), 2.89 (ddd, J=13.8, 7.0, 1.4 Hz, 1H), 2.71 (ddd, J=13.7, 8.1, 1.2 Hz, 1H), 2.43-2.29 (m, 1H), 2.05-1.79 (m, 3H), 1.27 (t, J=7.1 Hz, 3H); ¹³C NMR (101 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 171.3, 170.2, 159.2, 134.2, 129.8, 127.5, 121.7, 114.0, 69.1, 62.2, 55.4, 54.5, 40.1, 28.1, 20.6, 14.2; IR (Neat Film, NaCl) 2978, 2837, 1732, 1608, 1577, 1512, 1457, 1400, 1349, 1367, 1249, 1198, 1108, 1032, 972, 840, 757, 667, 640; HRMS (MM) m/z calc'd for C₁₈H₂₃O₅[M+H]⁺: 319.1540, found 319.1525; SFC Conditions: 15% IPA, 2.5 mL/min, Chiralpak AD-H column, λ=254 nm, t_(R) (min): major=5.37, minor=6.37.

Ethyl (R,E)-3-(3-(4-fluorophenyl)allyl)-2-oxotetrahydro-2H-pyran-3-carboxylate (3ae)

Product 3ae was prepared using general procedure 3 and purified by column chromatography (15% EtOAc in hexanes) to provide a colorless oil (38.2 mg, 62% yield); 88% ee, [α]_(D) ²⁵ −10.19 (c 0.86, CHCl₃); ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.34-7.27 (m, 2H), 7.05-6.90 (m, 2H), 6.53-6.34 (m, 1H), 6.20-6.02 (m, 1H), 4.29 (t, J=5.6 Hz, 2H), 4.22 (q, J=7.1 Hz, 2H), 2.87 (ddd, J=13.9, 7.1, 1.4 Hz, 1H), 2.72 (ddd, J=13.8, 7.9, 1.2 Hz, 1H), 2.47-2.31 (m, 1H), 2.07-1.78 (m, 3H), 1.26 (t, J=7.1 Hz, 3H); ¹³C NMR (101 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 171.2, 170.1, 162.4 (d, J=246.8 Hz), 133.5, 133.1 (d, J=3.3 Hz), 127.9 (d, J=8.0 Hz), 123.9 (d, J=2.2 Hz), 115.5 (d, J=21.7 Hz), 69.0, 62.3, 54.4, 40.1, 28.2, 20.6, 14.2; ¹⁹F NMR (282 MHz, CDCl₃) δ −114.56 (tt, J=8.6, 5.3 Hz); IR (Neat Film, NaCl) 2981, 2342, 1733, 1602, 1508, 1456, 1400, 1368, 1349, 1298, 1269, 1226, 1198, 1160, 1095, 1025, 972, 847, 767, 711, 668, 639 cm⁻¹; HRMS (MM) m/z calc'd for C₁₇H₂₀FO₄ [M+H]⁺: 307.1340 found 307.1343; SFC Conditions: 10% IPA, 2.5 mL/min, Chiralpak AD-H column, λ=254 nm, t_(R) (min): major=5.12, minor=5.95.

Ethyl (R,E)-3-(3-(4-chlorophenyl)allyl)-2-oxotetrahydro-2H-pyran-3-carboxylate (3af)

Product 3af was prepared using general procedure 3 and purified by column chromatography (15% EtOAc in hexanes) to provide a colorless oil (39.5 mg, 61% yield); 87% ee, [α]_(D) ²⁵ −10.81 (c 0.83, CHCl₃); ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.26 (s, 4H), 6.42 (dt, J=15.7, 1.3 Hz, 1H), 6.18 (ddd, J=15.9, 7.9, 7.1 Hz, 1H), 4.29 (t, J=5.7 Hz, 2H), 4.22 (q, J=7.1 Hz, 2H), 2.87 (ddd, J=13.9, 7.1, 1.4 Hz, 1H), 2.74 (ddd, J=13.8, 7.9, 1.2 Hz, 1H), 2.46-2.32 (m, 1H), 2.15-1.80 (m, 3H), 1.26 (t, J=7.1 Hz, 3H); ¹³C NMR (101 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 171.1, 170.1, 135.4, 133.5, 133.2, 128.8, 127.6, 124.9, 69.0, 62.3, 54.4, 40.1, 28.2, 20.6, 14.2; IR (Neat Film, NaCl) 2979, 2358, 1729, 1490, 1455, 1404, 1243, 1197, 1164, 1092, 971, 820, 760, 679 cm⁻¹; HRMS (MM) m/z calc'd for C₁₇H₂₀ClO₄ [M+H]⁺: 323.1045, found 323.1041; SFC Conditions: 30% IPA, 2.5 mL/min, Chiralpak AD-H column, λ=254 nm, t_(R) (min): major=2.29, minor=2.57.

Ethyl (R,E)-2-oxo-3-(3-(4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)allyl)tetrahydro-2H-pyran-3-carboxylate (3ag)

Product 3ag was prepared using general procedure 3 and purified by column chromatography (15% EtOAc in hexanes) to provide a colorless oil (31.2 mg, 44% yield); 86% ee, [α]_(D) ²⁵ −6.52 (c 0.98, CHCl₃); ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.60-7.47 (m, 2H), 7.47-7.38 (m, 2H), 6.50 (d, J=15.8 Hz, 1H), 6.32 (dt, J=15.8, 7.5 Hz, 1H), 4.30 (dd, J=6.3, 5.2 Hz, 2H), 4.23 (q, J=7.1 Hz, 2H), 2.90 (ddd, J=13.8, 7.1, 1.3 Hz, 1H), 2.77 (ddd, J=13.8, 7.7, 1.2 Hz, 1H), 2.47-2.34 (m, 1H), 2.05-1.81 (m, 3H), 1.26 (t, J=7.1 Hz, 3H); ¹³C NMR (101 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 171.1, 170.0, 140.4 (d, J=1.6 Hz), 133.4, 129.4 (q, J=32.4 Hz), 127.2, 126.5, 125.6 (q, J=3.7 Hz), 122.9, 69.0, 62.4, 54.4, 40.1, 28.3, 20.6, 14.2; ¹⁹F NMR (282 MHz, CDCl₃) δ −62.52 (s); IR (Neat Film, NaCl) 2982, 1733, 1684, 1616, 1540, 1414, 1326, 1244, 1198, 1163, 1120, 1068, 1016, 972, 862, 833, 652; HRMS (MM) m/z calc'd for C₁₈H₂₀F₃O₄ [M+H]⁺: 357.1308, found 357.1307; SFC Conditions: 10% IPA, 2.5 mL/min, Chiralpak AD-H column, λ=254 nm, t_(R) (min): major=4.02, minor=4.72.

Ethyl (R,E)-3-(3-(3,5-dimethylphenyl)allyl)-2-oxotetrahydro-2H-pyran-3-carboxylate (3ah)

Product 3ah was prepared using general procedure 3 and purified by column chromatography (15% EtOAc in hexanes) to provide a colorless oil (41.0 mg, 65% yield); 88% ee, [α]_(D) ²⁵ −13.58 (c 0.84, CHCl₃); ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.00-6.94 (m, 2H), 6.87 (dt, J=1.9, 1.0 Hz, 1H), 6.46-6.36 (m, 1H), 6.15 (ddd, J=15.7, 8.2, 6.8 Hz, 1H), 4.32-4.27 (m, 2H), 4.27-4.20 (m, 2H), 2.91 (ddd, J=13.8, 6.8, 1.4 Hz, 1H), 2.71 (ddd, J=13.7, 8.2, 1.2 Hz, 1H), 2.43-2.26 (m, 7H), 2.04-1.79 (m, 3H), 1.28 (t, J=7.1 Hz, 3H); ¹³C NMR (101 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 171.3, 170.2, 138.1, 136.8, 135.0, 129.4, 124.3, 123.6, 69.1, 62.3, 54.4, 40.2, 28.1, 21.3, 20.6, 14.2; IR (Neat Film, NaCl) 2978, 2917, 1731, 1602, 1456, 1398, 1367, 1350, 1242, 1198, 1163, 1096, 1026, 972, 853, 759, 693, 638 cm⁻¹; HRMS (MM) m/z calc'd for C₁₉H₂₅O₄[M+H]⁺: 317.1747, found 317.1749; SFC Conditions: 5% IPA, 3.0 mL/min, Chiralpak AD-H column, λ=254 nm, t_(R) (min): minor=9.68, major=11.56.

Ethyl (R,E)-3-(3-(naphthalen-2-yl)allyl)-2-oxotetrahydro-2H-pyran-3-carboxylate (3ai)

Product 3ai was prepared using general procedure 3 and purified by column chromatography (15% EtOAc in hexanes) to provide a colorless oil (42.1 mg, 62% yield); 88% ee, [α]_(D) ²⁵ +27.34 (c 0.82, CHCl₃); ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.84-7.73 (m, 3H), 7.72-7.67 (m, 1H), 7.57 (dd, J=8.5, 1.8 Hz, 1H), 7.52-7.38 (m, 2H), 6.68-6.59 (m, 1H), 6.34 (ddd, J=15.8, 8.0, 7.0 Hz, 1H), 4.30 (t, J=5.8 Hz, 2H), 4.24 (q, J=7.1 Hz, 2H), 2.96 (ddd, J=13.7, 7.0, 1.4 Hz, 1H), 2.81 (ddd, J=13.7, 8.0, 1.2 Hz, 1H), 2.48-2.34 (m, 1H), 2.03-1.81 (m, 3H), 1.28 (t, J=7.1 Hz, 3H); ¹³C NMR (101 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 171.2, 170.1, 134.8, 134.3, 133.6, 133.0, 128.2, 128.0, 127.7, 126.3, 126.1, 125.9, 124.5, 123.6, 69.0, 62.3, 54.4, 40.2, 28.1, 20.6, 14.2; IR (Neat Film, NaCl) 2980, 1732, 1597, 1507, 1456, 1399, 1367, 1243, 1198, 1097, 1023, 971, 896, 861, 815, 751, 667, 639, 624; HRMS (MM) m/z calc'd for C₂₁H₂₃O₄[M+H]⁺: 339.1591, found 339.1595; SFC Conditions 30% IPA, 2.5 mL/min, Chiralpak AD-H column λ=254 nm, t_(R) (min): major=3.36, minor=4.24.

Ethyl (R,E)-3-(3-(2-methoxyphenyl)allyl)-2-oxotetrahydro-2H-pyran-3-carboxylate (3aj)

Product 3aj was prepared using general procedure 3 and purified by column chromatography (15% EtOAc in hexanes) to provide a colorless oil (32.4 mg, 51% yield); 90% ee, [α]_(D) ²⁵ −11.96 (c 0.87, CHCl₃); ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.40 (dd, J=7.7, 1.7 Hz, 1H), 7.21 (ddd, J=8.2, 7.4, 1.7 Hz, 1H), 6.90 (td, J=7.6, 1.1 Hz, 1H), 6.88-6.75 (m, 2H), 6.16 (ddd, J=15.9, 8.2, 6.9 Hz, 1H), 4.29 (dd, J=6.2, 5.5 Hz, 2H), 4.23 (q, J=7.1 Hz, 2H), 3.83 (s, 3H), 2.92 (ddd, J=13.8, 6.8, 1.5 Hz, 1H), 2.77 (ddd, J=13.7, 8.2, 1.2 Hz, 1H), 2.44-2.29 (m, 1H), 2.03-1.81 (m, 3H), 1.28 (t, J=7.1 Hz, 3H); ¹³C NMR (101 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 171.3, 170.2, 156.5, 129.5, 128.7, 126.8, 126.0, 124.5, 120.7, 110.9, 69.2, 62.2, 55.5, 54.4, 40.6, 28.1, 20.7, 14.2; IR (Neat Film, NaCl) 2978, 2838, 1732, 1598, 1489, 1464, 1399, 1244, 1198, 1163, 1104, 1051, 1027, 976, 858, 755, 641; HRMS (MM) m/z calc'd for C₁₈H₂₃O₅[M+H]⁺: 319.1540, found 319.1542; SFC Conditions 10% IPA, 2.5 mL/min, Chiralcel OD-H column λ=254 nm, t_(R) (min): minor=9.05, major=9.85.

Ethyl (R,E)-3-(3-(furan-2-yl)allyl)-2-oxotetrahydro-2H-pyran-3-carboxylate (3ak)

Product 3ak was prepared using general procedure 3 and purified by column chromatography (15% EtOAc in hexanes) to provide a colorless oil (45.5 mg, 82% yield); 88% ee, [α]_(D) ²⁵ −11.85 (c 0.99, CHCl₃); ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.32-7.27 (m, 1H), 6.37-6.23 (m, 2H), 6.17 (d, J=3.2 Hz, 1H), 6.14-6.01 (m, 1H), 4.29 (dd, J=6.3, 5.5 Hz, 2H), 4.22 (q, J=7.1 Hz, 2H), 2.86 (ddd, J=13.9, 7.2, 1.3 Hz, 1H), 2.70 (ddd, J=13.9, 8.0, 1.2 Hz, 1H), 2.40-2.29 (m, 1H), 2.05-1.78 (m, 3H), 1.26 (t, J=7.1 Hz, 3H); ¹³C NMR (101 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 171.2, 170.0, 152.4, 141.9, 123.2, 122.7, 111.3, 107.6, 69.1, 62.3, 54.4, 39.8, 28.1, 20.6, 14.1; IR (Neat Film, NaCl) 2980, 1732, 1456, 1399, 1244, 1200, 1166, 1097, 1017, 969, 926, 858, 749, 640; HRMS (MM) m/z calc'd for C₁₅H₁₉O₅[M+H]⁺: 343.1329, found 343.1327; SFC Conditions 10% IPA, 2.5 mL/min, Chiralpak AD-H column λ=254 nm, t_(R) (min): major=3.97, minor=4.62.

Ethyl (R,E)-2-oxo-3-(3-(thiophen-2-yl)allyl)tetrahydro-2H-pyran-3-carboxylate (3al)

Product 3al was prepared using general procedure 3 and purified by column chromatography (15% EtOAc in hexanes) to provide a colorless oil (39.9 mg, 68% yield); 88% ee, [α]_(D) ²⁵ −15.7 (c 0.98, CHCl₃); ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.12 (dt, J=4.9, 1.0 Hz, 1H), 6.97-6.87 (m, 2H), 6.59 (dtt, J=15.7, 1.4, 0.6 Hz, 1H), 6.00 (ddd, J=15.4, 8.0, 7.2 Hz, 1H), 4.29 (t, J=5.9 Hz, 2H), 4.22 (q, J=7.1 Hz, 2H), 2.86 (ddd, J=13.9, 7.2, 1.4 Hz, 1H), 2.70 (ddd, J=13.8, 8.0, 1.2 Hz, 1H), 2.42-2.29 (m, 1H), 2.06-1.80 (m, 3H), 1.27 (t, J=7.1 Hz, 3H); ¹³C NMR (101 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 171.2, 170.0, 142.0, 127.9, 127.4, 125.5, 124.2, 123.7, 69.1, 62.3, 54.4, 40.0, 28.2, 20.6, 14.2; IR (Neat Film, NaCl) 3107, 2980, 1731, 1446, 1367, 1348, 1244, 1199, 1165, 1096, 1024, 965, 855, 750, 704, 643; HRMS (MM) m/z calc'd for C₁₅H₁₉O₄S [M+H]⁺: 295.0999, found 295.0994; SFC Conditions 10% IPA, 2.5 mL/min, Chiralpak AD-H column λ=254 nm, t_(R) (min): major=6.33, minor=7.51.

Ethyl (R,E)-3-(but-2-en-1-yl)-2-oxotetrahydro-2H-pyran-3-carboxylate (3am)

Product 3am was prepared using general procedure 3 and purified by column chromatography (15% EtOAc in hexanes) to provide a colorless oil (25.6 mg, 57% yield); 78% ee, [α]_(D) ²⁵ −0.22 (c 1.13, CHCl₃); ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 5.55 (dqt, J=15.0, 6.2, 1.1 Hz, 1H), 5.47-5.30 (m, 1H), 4.27 (t, J=5.7 Hz, 2H), 4.20 (q, J=7.1 Hz, 2H), 2.72-2.61 (m, 1H), 2.51 (ddt, J=13.8, 7.7, 1.1 Hz, 1H), 2.35-2.26 (m, 1H), 2.02-1.90 (m, 1H), 1.90-1.78 (m, 2H), 1.65 (dq, J=6.5, 1.2 Hz, 3H), 1.26 (t, J=7.1 Hz, 3H); ¹³C NMR (101 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 171.4, 170.2, 130.7, 124.9, 69.0, 62.1, 54.3, 39.7, 27.9, 20.6, 18.1, 14.2; IR (Neat Film, NaCl) 2965, 2938, 1730, 1447, 1400, 1272, 1223, 1198, 1163, 1107, 1077, 973, 856; HRMS (MM) m/z calc'd for C₁₂H₁₉O₄ [M+H]⁺: 227.1278, found 227.1275; SFC Conditions 25% IPA, 2.5 mL/min, Chiralpak IC column λ=210 nm, t_(R)(min): major=2.87, minor=3.69.

Ethyl (R)-2-oxo-3-((2E,4E)-5-phenylpenta-2,4-dien-1-yl)tetrahydro-2H-pyran-3-carboxylate (3an)

Product 3an was prepared using general procedure 3 and purified by column chromatography (15% EtOAc in hexanes) to provide a colorless oil (57.3 mg, 91% yield); 88% ee, [α]_(D) ²⁵ −22.45 (c 0.96, CHCl₃); ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.39-7.35 (m, 2H), 7.30 (ddd, J=7.7, 6.8, 1.2 Hz, 2H), 7.24-7.17 (m, 1H), 6.74 (ddd, J=15.7, 10.4, 0.8 Hz, 1H), 6.49 (d, J=15.7 Hz, 1H), 6.28 (ddq, J=15.4, 10.5, 1.1 Hz, 1H), 5.83-5.69 (m, 1H), 4.29 (t, J=5.8 Hz, 2H), 4.23 (q, J=7.1 Hz, 2H), 2.84 (ddd, J=13.9, 7.2, 1.3 Hz, 1H), 2.68 (ddd, J=13.8, 8.1, 1.1 Hz, 1H), 2.41-2.26 (m, 1H), 2.03-1.80 (m, 3H), 1.28 (t, J=7.1 Hz, 3H); ¹³C NMR (101 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 171.2, 170.0, 137.2, 135.3, 132.1, 128.7, 128.5, 128.3, 127.6, 126.4, 69.0, 62.3, 54.4, 39.9, 28.1, 20.6, 14.2; IR (Neat Film, NaCl) 3058, 3024, 2980, 1732, 1490, 1478, 1448, 1400, 1367, 1347, 1241, 1198, 1097, 1025, 994, 910, 857, 750, 694, 667, 640; HRMS (MM) m/z calc'd for C₁₉H₂₃O₄[M+H]⁺: 315.1585, found 315.1585; SFC Conditions 15% IPA, 2.5 mL/min, Chiralpak AD-H column λ=254 nm, t_(R) (min): major=5.30, minor=6.23.

Ethyl (S)-3-allyl-1-benzoyl-2-oxopiperidine-3-carboxylate (5aa)

Product 5aa was prepared using general procedure 4 and purified by column chromatography (15% EtOAc in hexanes) to provide a colorless oil (45.9 mg, 73% yield); 90% ee, [α]_(D) ²⁵ +42.42 (c 0.968, CHCl₃); ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.84-7.70 (m, 2H), 7.54-7.44 (m, 1H), 7.44-7.34 (m, 2H), 5.80-5.62 (m, 1H), 5.17-5.03 (m, 2H), 4.30 (q, J=7.2 Hz, 2H), 3.84-3.71 (m, 2H), 2.72 (ddt, J=13.8, 6.8, 1.2 Hz, 1H), 2.56 (ddt, J=13.8, 7.9, 1.0 Hz, 1H), 2.43-2.25 (m, 1H), 2.04-1.83 (m, 3H), 1.36 (t, J=7.1 Hz, 3H); ¹³C NMR (101 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 175.1, 171.9, 171.8, 135.9, 133.0, 131.8, 128.2, 128.1, 119.7, 62.1, 56.4, 46.6, 40.0, 30.3, 20.3, 14.3; IR (Neat Film, NaCl) 3074, 2936, 2341, 1734, 1700, 1684, 1450, 1388, 1278, 1147, 1177, 1050, 1027, 919, 824, 726, 694, 668 cm⁻¹; HRMS (MM) m/z calc'd for C₁₈H₂₂NO₄ [M+H]⁺: 316.1543, found 316.1543; SFC Conditions: 20% IPA, 2.5 mL/min, Chiralpak IC column, λ=254 nm, t_(R) (min): major=3.77, minor=4.39.

Methyl (S)-3-allyl-1-benzoyl-2-oxopiperidine-3-carboxylate (5ba)

Product 5ba was prepared using general procedure 4 and purified by column chromatography (20% EtOAc in hexanes) to provide a colorless oil (51.0 mg, 85% yield); 90% ee, [α]_(D) ²⁵ +48.58 (c 0.890, CHCl₃); ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.77-7.59 (m, 2H), 7.55-7.44 (m, 1H), 7.40 (ddt, J=8.3, 6.6, 1.2 Hz, 2H), 5.84-5.63 (m, 1H), 5.20-5.02 (m, 2H), 3.83 (s, 3H), 3.77 (dd, J=6.7, 5.4 Hz, 2H), 2.73 (ddt, J=13.7, 6.8, 1.2 Hz, 1H), 2.57 (ddt, J=13.7, 7.7, 1.1 Hz, 1H), 2.41-2.29 (m, 1H), 2.07-1.85 (m, 3H); ¹³C NMR (101 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 175.1, 172.4, 171.8, 135.9, 133.0, 131.8, 128.2, 128.1, 119.8, 56.5, 52.9, 46.6, 39.9, 30.3, 20.2; IR (Neat Film, NaCl) 3075, 2953, 1738, 1702, 1683, 1640, 1583, 1478, 1449, 1436, 1349, 1277, 1252, 1177, 1147, 1078, 1052, 1027, 1001, 844, 819, 796, 726, 695, 651; HRMS (MM) m/z calc'd for C₁₇H₂₀NO₄ [M+H]⁺: 302.1387, found 302.1377; SFC Conditions 10% IPA, 2.5 mL/min, Chiralpak AD-H column λ=254 nm, t_(R) (min): minor=3.96, major=4.53.

Ethyl (S)-1-benzoyl-3-cinnamyl-2-oxopiperidine-3-carboxylate (5ab)

Product 5ab was prepared using general procedure 4 at 30° C. and purified by column chromatography (20% to 40% Et₂O in hexanes) to provide a colorless oil (58.2 mg, 74% yield); 90% ee, [α]_(D) ²⁵ +71.0 (c 0.88, CHCl₃); ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.81-7.73 (m, 2H), 7.55-7.45 (m, 1H), 7.45-7.37 (m, 2H), 7.36-7.27 (m, 4H), 7.25-7.20 (m, 1H), 6.46 (dt, J=15.7, 1.3 Hz, 1H), 6.14 (ddd, J=15.8, 8.0, 6.9 Hz, 1H), 4.32 (q, J=7.1 Hz, 2H), 3.86-3.73 (m, 2H), 2.91 (ddd, J=13.8, 7.0, 1.4 Hz, 1H), 2.72 (ddd, J=13.8, 8.0, 1.2 Hz, 1H), 2.49-2.35 (m, 1H), 2.10-1.91 (m, 3H), 1.37 (t, J=7.1 Hz, 3H); ¹³C NMR (101 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 175.0, 172.0, 171.9, 137.0, 135.9, 134.6, 131.9, 128.6, 128.2, 128.2, 127.6, 126.4, 124.5, 62.2, 56.9, 46.6, 39.3, 30.5, 20.3, 14.3; IR (Neat Film, NaCl) 2979, 1728, 1684, 1600, 1578, 1449, 1390, 1277, 1194, 1172, 1150, 1026, 970, 923, 934, 857, 822, 795, 745, 725, 694, 661 cm⁻¹; HRMS (MM) m/z calc'd for C₂₄H₂₆NO₄ [M+H]⁺: 392.1856, found 392.1849; SFC Conditions: 30% IPA, 2.5 mL/min, Chiralpak AD-H column, λ=254 nm, t_(R) (min): minor=2.56, major=2.95.

Experimental Procedures and Characterization Data for Product Transformations

Ethyl (S)-2-(hydroxymethyl)-2-(3-hydroxypropyl)pent-4-enoate (6)

To a solution of allylated product 3aa (42.5 mg, 0.2 mmol, 1 equiv) in 4:1 methanol:THF (1.4 mL), CeCl₃.7H₂O was added (149.0 mg, 0.4 mmol, 2 equiv). After cooling the reaction mixture at 0° C. for 10 minutes, NaBH₄ (37.5 mg, 1.0 mmol, 5 equiv) was added in three portions over the course of 20 minutes. Additional methanol (1.5 mL) was added to rinse the side of the flask and the reaction mixture was stirred for another 10 minutes. The reaction was quenched with glacial acetic acid. The crude mixture was then concentrated under reduced pressure. The resultant residue was extracted with EtOAc, washed with NaHCO₃ and brine, dried over anhydrous MgSO₄, filtered, and purified by column chromatography (70% EtOAc in hexanes) to afford diol 6 as a colorless oil (54.1 mg, 88% yield). [α]_(D) ²⁵ +1.222 (c 0.92, CHCl₃); ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 5.71 (ddt, J=17.4, 10.1, 7.4 Hz, 1H), 5.14-4.99 (m, 2H), 4.15 (q, J=7.1 Hz, 2H), 3.72-3.62 (m, 2H), 3.59 (td, J=6.2, 1.6 Hz, 2H), 2.65 (br s, 2H), 2.38 (ddt, J=14.0, 7.3, 1.2 Hz, 1H), 2.30 (ddt, J=13.9, 7.5, 1.1 Hz, 1H), 1.75-1.58 (m, 2H), 1.58-1.42 (m, 2H), 1.25 (t, J=7.1 Hz, 3H); ¹³C NMR (101 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 176.0, 133.4, 118.6, 64.5, 62.9, 60.8, 50.8, 38.0, 29.3, 27.1, 14.4; IR (Neat Film, NaCl) 2281, 3078, 2940, 1725, 1641, 1465, 1447, 1372, 1329, 1300, 1219, 1191, 1138, 1112, 1053, 920, 862, 824, 782, 748, 679, 634; HRMS (MM) m/z calc'd for C₁₁H₂₁O₄[M+H]⁺: 217.1434, found 217.1427.

Ethyl (S)-2-allyl-2-(3-hydroxypropyl)-3-oxopent-4-enoate (7)

A 0.5 M solution of vinylmagnesium bromide in THF (0.3 mmol, 1.5 equiv) was added dropwise to a solution of allylated product 3aa (42.5 mg, 0.2 mmol, 1 equiv) in THF (0.7 mL) at −78° C. over 15 minutes. After 9 hours at −78° C., the reaction was quenched with NH₄Cl. The mixture was diluted with EtOAc, washed with brine, and dried over anhydrous Na₂SO₄. Flash column chromatography (50% EtOAc in hexanes) of the crude residue afforded compound 7 as a colorless oil (80.0 mg, 67% yield); 86% ee, [α]_(D) ²⁵ −9.914 (c 0.798, CHCl₃); ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 6.53 (dd, J=16.9, 10.2 Hz, 1H), 6.39 (dd, J=17.0, 1.8 Hz, 1H), 5.70 (dd, J=10.1, 1.8 Hz, 1H), 5.57 (ddt, J=16.8, 10.1, 7.4 Hz, 1H), 5.16-5.04 (m, 2H), 4.19 (qd, J=7.1, 0.7 Hz, 2H), 3.62 (td, J=6.4, 1.1 Hz, 2H), 2.79-2.55 (m, 2H), 2.04-1.82 (m, 2H), 1.51-1.30 (m, 3H), 1.23 (t, J=7.1 Hz, 3H); ¹³C NMR (101 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 195.5, 172.1, 132.2, 131.8, 129.5, 119.3, 62.9, 61.7, 61.6, 35.9, 27.5, 27.0, 14.2; IR (Neat Film, NaCl) 340, 3079, 2924, 1732, 1698, 1642, 1612, 1447, 1402, 1368, 1299, 1262, 1200, 1137, 1096, 1057, 1029, 983, 923, 856, 808, 739, 670, 686, 654; HRMS (MM) m/z calc'd for C₁₃H₂₁O₄[M+H]⁺: 241.1440, found 241.1443; SFC Conditions: 30% IPA, 2.5 mL/min, Chiralpak IC column, λ=210 nm, t_(R) (min): major=7.14, minor=7.64.

(S)-7-oxaspiro[4.5]dec-2-ene-1,6-dione (8)

Compound 7 (68.9 mg, 0.29 mmol, 1 equiv) in degassed toluene (3.0 mL) was added to a stirred solution of Grubbs' II catalyst (12.2 mg, 5 mol %) in toluene (15 mL) at 23° C. After stirring at 40° C. for 4 hours under argon atmosphere, the dark brown solution was filtered through silica plug, flushed with acetone, and concentrated under vacuum. The crude residue was then redissolved in acetonitrile, 1,8-Diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene (DBU) was added (52 uL, 0.35 mmol, 1.2 equiv), and the reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature. Upon complete consumption of starting material by TLC, the reaction was quenched with NH₄Cl, extracted with EtOAc, washed with brine, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered, and concentrated under vacuum. The crude residue was purified by column chromatography (30% acetone in hexanes) to provide spirocycle 8 as a colorless oil (25.6 mg, 53% yield). [α]_(D) ²⁵ −62.168 (c 0.75, CHCl₃); ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.77 (dt, J=5.6, 2.7 Hz, 1H), 6.14 (dt, J=5.7, 2.2 Hz, 1H), 4.66-4.50 (m, 1H), 4.47-4.40 (m, 1H), 3.39 (dt, J=18.9, 2.5 Hz, 1H), 2.58 (dt, J=18.9, 2.4 Hz, 1H), 2.41-2.25 (m, 1H), 2.25-2.13 (m, 1H), 1.92-1.75 (m, 2H); ¹³C NMR (101 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 206.2, 170.1, 163.8, 131.2, 71.0, 53.9, 44.5, 30.7, 20.4; IR (Neat Film, NaCl) 3082, 2932, 2871, 1728, 1699, 1592, 1422, 1403, 1343, 1272, 1217, 1160, 1108, 1080, 963, 816, 763; HRMS (MM) m/z calc'd for C₉H₁₁O₃ [M+H]⁺: 167.0703, found 167.0696.

(S)-(3-allyl-1-benzylpiperidin-3-yl)methanol (9)

To a flame-dried microwave vial under argon was added lactam 5aa (63 mg, 0.2 mmol) and dry diethyl ether (2.0 mL). Lithium aluminum hydride (91 mg, 2.4 mmol) was added slowly. The reaction was allowed to stir at room temperature for 10 minutes, after which it was sealed and heated to 65° C. for 36 h. The reaction was quenched with water and 15% sodium hydroxide solution and extracted with ethyl acetate (5 mL×4). The combined extracts were dried with Na₂SO₄, filtered, and concentrated under vacuum. The crude residue was purified by column chromatography (50% EtOAc in hexanes) to afford alcohol 9 as a colorless oil (39.3 mg, 80% yield). [α]_(D) ²⁵ +29.393 (c 0.965, CHCl₃); ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.36-7.22 (m, 5H), 5.74 (ddt, J=16.7, 10.4, 7.6 Hz, 1H), 5.06-4.95 (m, 2H), 3.63 (qd, J=10.6, 1.6 Hz, 2H), 3.52-3.39 (m, 2H), 2.78-2.66 (m, 2H), 2.10-2.00 (m, 3H), 1.91 (d, J=7.5 Hz, 2H), 1.69-1.54 (m, 2H), 1.36-1.19 (m, 2H); ¹³C NMR (101 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 138.0, 133.9, 129.1, 128.5, 127.3, 117.8, 72.4, 63.5, 62.8, 54.0, 37.2, 33.2, 29.8, 23.0; IR (Neat Film, NaCl) 3392, 3065, 3028, 3003, 2932, 2858, 2797, 2759, 1949, 1822, 1730, 1638, 1586, 1603, 1586, 1553, 1494, 1466, 1453, 1415, 1392, 1370, 1352, 1311, 1300, 1259, 1248, 1208, 1180, 1162, 1127, 1116, 1072, 1045, 1028, 1045, 1001, 913, 875, 834, 810, 739, 699, 635, 619; HRMS (MM) m/z calc'd for C₁₆H₂₄NO [M+H]⁺: 246.1852, found 246.1847.

Ethyl (S)-1-benzoyl-2-oxo-3-(3-oxopropyl)piperidine-3-carboxylate (10)

To a flame dried vial was added CuCl₂.H₂O (4.1 mg, 0.024 mmol), PdCl₂(PhCN)₂ (9.2 mg, 0.024 mmol), AgNO₂ (1.9 mg, 0.012 mmol), t-BuOH (3.75 mL) and nitromethane (0.25 mL). The solution was sparged with 02 for 15 minutes, and then neat lactam 5aa (63.1 mg, 0.2 mmol) was added. The solution was then sparged for another 3 minutes and allowed to stir for 14 hours under an oxygen atmosphere. Upon reaction completion by TLC, water (4 mL) was added and the aqueous layer was extracted with DCM (4 mL×3). The combined organic layers were dried with Na₂SO₄, filtered, and concentrated under reduced pressure. The product was purified by column chromatography (50% EtOAc in hexanes) to yield 75% of product 10. [α]_(D) ²⁵ +3.159 (c 0.685, CHCl₃); ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 9.69 (s, 1H), 7.78-7.69 (m, 2H), 7.52-7.44 (m, 1H), 7.44-7.35 (m, 2H), 4.38-4.24 (m, 2H), 3.89-3.70 (m, 2H), 2.73-2.59 (m, 1H), 2.55-2.38 (m, 2H), 2.23-2.13 (m, 2H), 2.06-1.91 (m, 2H), 1.82 (ddd, J=13.6, 9.9, 5.4 Hz, 1H), 1.37 (t, J=7.1 Hz, 3H); ¹³C NMR (101 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 200.9, 175.0, 172.1, 171.9, 135.8, 132.0, 128.2, 128.2, 62.4, 55.8, 46.6, 39.9, 31.5, 27.8, 20.2, 14.3; IR (Neat Film, NaCl) 2924, 2853, 2727, 1723, 1704, 1681, 1601, 1449, 1391, 1348, 1275, 1195, 1174, 1150, 1062, 1023, 959, 916, 856, 824, 796, 726, 695, 659; HRMS (MM) m/z calc'd for C₁₈H₂₂NO₅ [M+H]⁺: 332.1492, found 332.1483.

Ethyl (S)-3-allyl-2-oxopiperidine-3-carboxylate (11)

To a flame dried vial under argon was added NaOEt (17.4 mg, 0.26 mmol) and ethanol (1.3 mL). Lactam 5aa (63.1 mg, 0.20 mmol) was added and the resulting mixture was stirred for 48 h at 65° C. The reaction was quenched with citric acid (154 mg, 0.80 mmol) and the EtOH was removed in vacuo. The resulting oil was then diluted with water (2 mL) and extracted with chloroform. The combined organic layers were dried with Na₂SO₄ and the solvent was removed in vacuo. The product was purified by column chromatography (80% EtOAc in hexanes) to afford amide 11 as a colorless oil (35.6 mg, 84% yield). [α]_(D) ²⁵ +36.162 (c 0.89, CHCl₃); ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 6.40 (s, 1H), 5.76 (dddd, J=16.8, 10.2, 8.1, 6.5 Hz, 1H), 5.20-5.05 (m, 2H), 4.29-4.10 (m, 2H), 3.40-3.18 (m, 2H), 2.78 (ddt, J=13.8, 6.5, 1.3 Hz, 1H), 2.66-2.50 (m, 1H), 2.14-2.04 (m, 1H), 1.93-1.68 (m, 3H), 1.26 (t, J=7.1 Hz, 3H); ¹³C NMR (101 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 172.7, 170.8, 133.7, 119.2, 61.6, 53.5, 42.5, 40.0, 29.4, 19.6, 14.3; IR (Neat Film, NaCl) 3213, 3077, 2978, 2941, 2873, 1732, 1668, 1490, 1469, 1417, 1392, 1356, 1326, 1314, 1297, 1282, 1241, 1193, 1153, 1116, 1094, 1026, 1005, 921, 856, 812, 763, 719, 663; HRMS (MM) m/z calc'd for C₁₁H₁₈NO₃ [M+H]⁺: 212.1281, found 212.1280.

TABLE 8 Determination of Enantiomeric Excess ee entry compound SFC analytic conditions (%)  1

Chiralpak IC, λ = 210 nm 25% IPA/CO₂, 2.5 mL/min t_(R) (min) major 2.66, minor 3.29 86  2

Chiralpak IC, λ = 210 nm 20% IPA/CO₂, 2.5 mL/min t_(R) (min) major 3.35, minor 3.99 86  3

Chiracel OB-H, λ = 210 nm 5% IPA/CO₂, 2.5 mL/min t_(R) (min) minor 2.22, major 2.64 64  4

Chiralpak AD-H, λ = 254 nm 10% IPA/CO₂, 2.5 mL/min t_(R) (min) major 5.49, minor 6.31 90  5

Chiralpak AD-H, λ = 254 nm 10% IPA/CO₂, 2.5 mL/min t_(R) (min) major 6.47, minor 7.71 90  6

Chiralpak AD-H, λ = 254 nm 15% IPA/CO₂, 2.5 mL/min t_(R) (min) major 5.37, minor 6.37 88  7

Chiralpak AD-H, λ = 254 nm 10% IPA/CO₂, 2.5 mL/min t_(R) (min) major 5.12, minor 5.95 88  8

Chiralpak AD-H, λ = 254 nm 30% IPA/CO₂, 2.5 mL/min t_(R) (min) major 2.29, minor 2.57 87  9

Chiralpak AD-H, λ = 254 nm 10% IPA/CO₂, 2.5 mL/min t_(R) (min) major 4.02, minor 4.72 86 10

Chiralpak AD-H, λ = 254 nm 5% IPA/CO₂, 3 mL/min t_(R) (min) minor 9.68, major 11.56 88 11

Chiralpak AD-H, λ = 254 nm 30% IPA/CO₂, 2.5 mL/min t_(R) (min) major 3.36, minor 4.24 88 12

Chiralcel OD-H, λ = 254 nm 10% IPA/CO₂, 2.5 mL/min t_(R) (min) minor 9.05, major 9.85 90 13

Chiralpak AD-H, λ = 254 nm 10% IPA/CO₂, 2.5 mL/min t_(R) (min) major 3.97, minor 4.62 88 14

Chiralpak AD-H, λ = 254 nm 10% IPA/CO₂, 2.5 mL/min t_(R) (min) major 6.33, minor 7.51 88 15

Chiralpak IC, λ = 210 nm 25% IPA/CO₂, 2.5 mL/min t_(R) (min) major 2.87, minor 3.69 78 16

Chiralpak AD-H, λ = 254 nm 15% IPA/CO₂, 2.5 mL/min t_(R) (min) major 5.30, minor 6.23 88 17

Chiralpak IC, λ = 254 nm 20% IPA/CO₂, 2.5 mL/min t_(R) (min) major 3.77, minor 4.39 90 18

Chiralpak AD-H, λ = 254 nm 10% IPA/CO₂, 2.5 mL/min t_(R) (min) minor 3.96 major 4.53 90 19

Chiralpak AD-H, λ = 254 nm 30% IPA/CO₂, 2.5 mL/min t_(R) (min) minor 2.56, major 2.95 90 20

Chiralpak IC, λ = 210 nm 10% IPA/CO₂, 2.5 mL/min t_(R) (min) major 7.14, minor 7.64 86 X-Ray Crystal Structure Data for Allylated Product 3af

The alpha-quaternary lactone product 3af (87% ee) was crystallized from chloroform at −30° C. to provide crystals suitable for X-ray analysis (data and crystal structure not shown).

Example 2

In a nitrogen-filled glovebox, to an oven-dried 4 mL vial equipped with a stir bar was added (S)-C3-TunePhos (14.3 mg, 0.024 mmol, 12 mol %), Ni(COD)₂ (5.5 mg, 0.02 mmol, 10 mol %) and Et₂O (1.0 mL). The vial was capped with a PTFE-lined cap and stirred at room temperature for 30 min. A solution of the substrate (66.9 mg, 0.20 mmol) in Et₂O (0.5 mL) was then added to the catalyst mixture. The substrate vial was rinsed with additional Et₂O (0.5 mL) and added to the catalyst mixture. The reaction vial was sealed with a PTFE-lined cap, removed from the glovebox, and stirred at 25° C. for 48 h. The crude reaction mixture was filtered through a silica plug, rinsed with Et₂O, and concentrated under vacuum. The crude residue was subjected to a filtration over silica gel (20% EtOAc in hexanes) to remove unreacted starting material. After evaporation of solvents, the product was isolated as a mixture of diastereoisomers (24.0 mg, 0.07 mmol, 37% yield, 83:17 dr). Enantiomeric excess=70% ee (Chiralpak IC, 15% IPA in CO₂).

Based on literature reference for the corresponding Et-ester (Kates, S. A.; Dombroski, M. A.; Snider, B. B. J. Org. Chem. 1990, 55, 2427-2436.), preliminary assignment for major diastereoisomer is shown below:

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

All publications and patents mentioned herein are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety as if each individual publication or patent was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. In case of conflict, the present application, including any definitions herein, will control.

EQUIVALENTS

While specific embodiments of the subject invention have been discussed, the above specification is illustrative and not restrictive. Many variations of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of this specification and the claims below. The full scope of the invention should be determined by reference to the claims, along with their full scope of equivalents, and the specification, along with such variations. 

We claim:
 1. A method of synthesizing a pharmaceutical agent comprising preparing a compound of Formula (IX):

comprising: treating a compound of Formula (I)

with a compound of Formula (II) that is Formula (IIa) or Formula (IIb)

in an organic solvent in the presence of a complex formed by contacting a Ni(0) source with a ligand L; wherein: X is O or N-PG; PG is a protecting group selected from benzyl, tosyl, benzoyl, Boc, methyl, and phenyl; R₁ is methyl or ethyl; R₂ is H, methyl, aralkenyl, aryl, or hetaryl; R₈ and R₉ are each H, or R₈ and R₉, taken together with the carbon atoms to which they are attached, form an aryl or heteroaryl ring;

is a single bond when R₈ and R₉ are each H, and when R₈ and R₉, taken together with the carbon atoms to which they are attached, form an aryl or heteroaryl ring; L is selected from (R)-BINAP, (R)-H₈-BINAP, (R)-Segphos, and (R)-P-phos; the Ni(0) source is Ni(COD)₂; and the organic solvent is toluene, diethyl ether, methyl t-butyl ether (MTBE), tetrahydrofuran (THF), or dioxane, or a mixture thereof.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein: X is O; R₁ is ethyl; R₂ is H; the organic solvent is toluene, diethyl ether, MTBE, THF, or dioxane; and the reaction temperature is 0° C., −10° C., or 23° C.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein R₈ and R₉ are each H and the organic solvent is diethyl ether.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein 10 mol % Ni(COD)₂ and 12 mol % of ligand are used.
 5. The method of claim 3, wherein the reaction temperature is 0° C., the ligand is (R) -P-phos, and 5 mol % Ni(COD)₂ and 6 mol % of ligand are used.
 6. The method of claim 2, wherein: R₈ and R₉ are each H; 10 mol % Ni(COD)₂ and 12 mol % of ligand are used; the reaction temperature is 23° C.; and the organic solvent is toluene, MTBE, THF, or dioxane.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein: X is O; the compound of Formula (II) is a compound of Formula (IIb); 10 mol % of Ni(COD)₂ and 12 mol % of L are used; L is (R)-P-phos; and the organic solvent is diethyl ether.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein R₂ is H; R₈ and R₉ are each H; and the reaction temperature is −10° C.
 9. The method of claim 7, wherein R₁ is ethyl; R₂ is H; R₈ and R₉ combine to form a phenyl ring including the carbon atoms to which R₈ and R₉ are attached; and the reaction temperature is −10° C.
 10. The method of claim 7, wherein R₁ is ethyl; R₂ is Ph, 4-methylphenyl, 4-methoxyphenyl, 4-fluorophenyl, 4-chlorophenyl, 4-trifluoromethylphenyl, 3,5-dimethylphenyl, 2-naphthyl, 2-methoxyphenyl, 2-furyl, 2 -thienyl, methyl, or styryl; R₈ and R₉ are each H; and the reaction temperature is 10° C.
 11. The method of claim 1, wherein X is N-PG, PG is benzoyl, R₁ is ethyl, R₂ is H, R₈ and R₉ are each H, and: i. 10 mol % Ni(COD)₂ and 12 mol % L are used, the organic solvent is 2:3 toluene:MTBE, reaction temperature is 10° C., and L is (R)-H₈-BINAP; or ii. 10 mol % Ni(COD)₂ and 12 mol % L are used, the organic solvent is 2:3 toluene:MTBE, reaction temperature is 10° C., and L is (R)-Segphos; or iii. 10 mol % Ni(COD)₂ and 12 mol % L are used, the organic solvent is 2:3 toluene:MTBE, reaction temperature is 10° C., and L is (R)-P-phos; or iv. 5 mol % Ni(COD)₂ and 6 mol % L are used, the organic solvent is 2:3 toluene:MTBE, reaction temperature is 10° C., and L is (R)-P-phos; or v. 10 mol % Ni(COD)₂ and 12 mol % L are used, the organic solvent is 2:3 toluene:diethyl ether, reaction temperature is 10° C., and L is (R)-P-phos; or vi. 10 mol % Ni(COD)₂ and 12 mol % L are used, the organic solvent is toluene, reaction temperature is 10° C., and L is (R)-P-phos; or vii. 10 mol % Ni(COD)₂ and 12 mol % L are used, the organic solvent is THF, reaction temperature is 10° C., and L is (R)-P-phos; or viii. 10 mol % Ni(COD)₂ and 12 mol % L are used, the organic solvent is 2:3 toluene:MTBE, reaction temperature is 23° C., and L is (R)-P-phos.
 12. The method of claim 1, wherein X is N-PG, PG is benzoyl, R₈ and R₉ are each H, L is (R)-P-phos, 10 mol % Ni(COD)₂ and 12 mol % L are used, the compound of Formula (II) is a compound of Formula (IIa), the organic solvent is 2:3 toluene:MTBE, and: i. reaction temperature is 10° C., R₁ is methyl, and R₂ is H; or ii. reaction temperature is 30° C., R₁ is ethyl, and R₂ is phenyl.
 13. The method of claim 1, wherein: X is N-PG; PG is benzoyl; R₁ is ethyl; R₂ is phenyl; R₈ and R₉ are each H; L is (R)-P-phos; 10 mol % of Ni(COD)₂ and 12 mol % of L are used; the organic solvent is 2:3 toluene:MTBE; and: i. the compound of Formula (II) is a compound of Formula (IIa) and reaction temperature is 10° C.; or ii. the compound of Formula (II) is a compound of Formula (IIb) and reaction temperature is 10° C.; or iii. the compound of Formula (II) is a compound of Formula (IIa) and reaction temperature is 30° C.; or iv. the compound of Formula (II) is a compound of Formula (IIb) and reaction temperature is 30° C. 